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)
The rigidity slipped out of his consort’s muscles. “No man had that from me either,” she said, sliding her hands up his arms. “Only you.”
His chest warming, Cain kissed her again. It flat out amazed him that she gave so much of herself to him when he still had so many secrets. He really couldn’t blame her for having doubts about signing over her soul to him. Who wouldn’t, in her position? But he needed her to get past those reservations. And the bitch of it was that giving her the truths she’d asked for would encourage her to do the opposite.
*
Hearing Maxim call his name the following day, Cain halted in the middle of the bailey. Half-turning to face the approaching aide, he took in the gargoyle’s expression. There was no sense of urgency there, no tension in the line of his jaw. But there was a glint in his gaze that told Cain he just might like what he was about to hear.
Finally, Maxim reached him. “I just received news from one of Dantalion’s aides. The conduit from Aeon is back. Abel wishes to speak with you.”
Cain felt his brows inch up. “That so?” Amusement pricked at him, because he could easily guess why Abel had sent Griff back to Devil’s Cradle so soon—he’d finally realized that his children and Eve were missing, and he’d guessed that they’d sought the protection of the Ancients.
Of course, Cain had to consider that the three Aeons might be here at Adam’s insistence and that, as such, whatever tantrum Abel threw could be nothing but an act. Even so, this conversation could indeed be entertaining. Abel’s tantrums often were.
“Where is the conduit now?” Cain asked.
“The blue parlor again,” Maxim replied. “Dantalion left him there with one of his aides to keep watch.”
Cain gave him a nod of thanks and headed to the Keep. Using the mirror in his bedchamber, he took himself to the manor and was soon entering the blue parlor. He tipped his chin at Dantalion’s aide and then turned his attention to Griff. “Back again so soon?”
Griff cleared his throat. “Yes, sir. Abel would like to talk to you again.”
I’m sure he would. “All right.”
The conduit lifted his splayed hand but then fisted it. “I . . .”
“Yes?”
“He’s not alone. Adam is with him.”
Cain felt his lips thin. He supposed he should have expected that. Adam might not care for Eve, but he wouldn’t like that she’d escaped him. He’d insist on personally questioning Cain. Assuming this wasn’t all part of his plan, of course.
“I appreciate the heads-up, Griff.” Not that Cain believed the conduit had done it out of the goodness of his heart. No, he just hadn’t wanted Cain to be later pissed at him for issuing no such warning.
The conduit reached his splayed fingers toward Cain, who then touched his fingertips to his. And again, Cain was back in that all-white room. There were three chairs this time. Two were taken by Abel and Adam, who sat side by side, their hard eyes pinned on Cain.
The two men were so similar in looks it was almost uncanny, though Adam had thicker hair and a prominent dimple in his chin. One thing always set them apart when they were around Cain. Whereas Abel’s eyes were often filled with derision at such times, Adam would keep his own gaze blank.
Cain’s monster stirred, fixing them both with an unblinking glare that blazed with rage. It despised Abel, but the intensity of that emotion was completely surpassed by the depth of its hatred for Adam. The creature would rip him apart if given the chance—and it one day would be. Cain would grant it that pleasure, just as his monster wouldn’t interfere with Cain’s intent to be the one who took out Abel.
“Ah, there you are.” Adam eyed Cain from head to toe, all superiority. “Imprisonment suits you, it would seem,” he taunted.
Cain didn’t react. He’d long ago ceased giving that asshole any emotion to work with. Instead, he slid his gaze back to Abel, who sat so unnaturally still it was clear the Aeon wanted to leap at him in anger. That certainly cheered Cain’s monster. It had always loved to see the little shit riled.
Cain hummed. “Back in touch so soon, Abel? I thought you said it would be thirty days before we next communicated.”
Abel’s hands fisted. “You know why I wanted this meeting.”
Taking the seat opposite the two Aeons, Cain arched a bored brow. “I do?”
Abel leaned forward. “Release them.”
“Them?”
“There is no point in games or denials, Cain,” Adam cut in. “Eve and my grandchildren were tracked as far as the town nearest to yours. We know you have them. Let them go.”
Abel quickly added, “They have nothing to do with this war you and I have been part of for so long.”