Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 121324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
Although Cain had seemed fine, she’d been more focused on ensuring it wasn’t an act than on considering Abel’s threat. It wasn’t until Cain had drifted off to sleep beside her that the aforementioned threat had slipped to the forefront of her mind. She’d spent hours chewing on it before finally falling asleep. And now it was pushing for headspace once more.
“No one is going to sacrifice you to the Aeons, Wynter,” said Cain.
She snorted. “Ishtar would do it in a heartbeat.” With pleasure. And likely do a celebratory dance afterward.
“She might try, but only if she could first convince the majority of the other Ancients to agree to support her in it.”
Wynter wasn’t so sure of that. Ishtar could be mightily impulsive at times, and she had a vindictive streak a mile wide. She’d think nothing of crossing Cain on this; might even convince herself she’d done it for the good of the Ancients as a whole.
“Kali warned you that someone could potentially betray you,” Wynter reminded him. “Maybe She meant Ishtar.”
Cain leaned forward and rested his hand on hers, his unwavering gaze snaring her own. “Listen to me, Wynter. Ishtar can be a bitch for certain. She wants you gone from here, yes. And she’d for sure obliterate you if she could get away with it. But she won’t go behind the backs of other Ancients to sacrifice you, particularly not mine. She knows I’d end her. Ishtar does many stupid things, pushes many people’s buttons, but she does value her life.”
“Maybe so, but that doesn’t mean she won’t pull a sneaky move or two. She could try working on the other Ancients. She could attempt to convince them to see things her way.”
“She could make such an attempt. She probably will.” Cain didn’t sound too concerned about it. “It wouldn’t get her anywhere.”
“And if you’re wrong?” Wynter set her mug down on the table between them. “If the majority of the Ancients change their stance and vote that I should be handed over to the Aeons, what happens then?”
“Simple. I’ll kill each of the voters,” he said matter-of-factly.
She believed him, but . . . “Not if they killed you first. They might do that if they feel backed into a corner.”
“They could try. They would fail.”
The absolute certainty in his voice made her narrow her eyes. “Does that mean the rumor that you’re the most powerful of the seven is true?”
“Yes,” he replied.
Wynter blinked in surprise. She hadn’t expected him to respond, let alone give her a straight answer. He was evasive about so many things, big and small, that she never quite knew what he’d gloss over and what he’d reveal without a qualm. “But if several Ancients went up against you—”
“They wouldn’t live through it.” Cain squeezed her hand. “Hear me, Wynter. They will not ignore my warnings or make any moves against me. I wouldn’t say that if I wasn’t sure. I would instead chain you to the bed to be certain that they had no way to get to you.”
“You really do think of chaining me to the bed far too often. I just want to note that.”
His lips twitched. “So noted.” He paused. “Trust me to keep you safe.”
“I do.” Not that she needed his protection, but she did trust that he wouldn’t abruptly withdraw it. “I know you wouldn’t allow any of them to harm me. I wouldn’t allow it. But I worry that all this will cause a divide between you and them.”
“It won’t.”
“Are you sure that you’re not underestimating Ishtar?”
“Very sure. Look at it logically.” Cain sank back in his seat. “Even if she could sway some of the other Ancients to join her camp, she wouldn’t sway the majority. She’d need four votes. I wouldn’t vote in her favor. Neither would Seth or Azazel—mostly out of loyalty to me. Lilith wouldn’t throw her lot in with Ishtar either, because Lilith once had a consort and understands why I’d never give you up under any circumstances.”
“And the others?”
“Neither Dantalion nor Inanna wish to fold under Abel’s threats. I can’t say for sure that their viewpoint won’t alter at a later date, though I doubt it will happen. But even if it did, there wouldn’t be enough votes to make a difference for Ishtar. It would be four against three. Not that it matters, because no amount of votes would lead to me sacrificing you. It would simply never happen.”
Cain held her gaze, willing her to believe that her doubts were senseless so she wouldn’t spend time unnecessarily worrying over it. He understood why she’d find it difficult to trust that the other Ancients wouldn’t unite against him to oppose his will or even to take him out. It was natural, considering there was so much she didn’t yet know about him. Couldn’t yet know about him. He needed more time before he fully enlightened her.