Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 144404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
“I think it’s lucky for you that happened.” Sasha leaned against the bookshelf that had a ton of crappy paperbacks.
“Well, in Alexander’s defense, they were in the Coven House without authorization. You have to know there are bounties on you and your little army.”
“Yes, I believe they’re wanted dead or alive,” Sasha pointed out.
I made a huff, a sound of pure frustration. “Myrddin has laws he must uphold, but I assure you those posters are all for show. He wants them alive. He wants to reason with them. We can find things we agree on.”
“You told the royals they would be put to death when they returned home.” The vampire seemed determine to relitigate history. “At the time the royals and Kelsey had done nothing but return to a place that was once their home.”
I didn’t really remember it like that. Myrddin had realized his old spell had triggered and sent me down. He’d given me a big dose of demon blood and a fraction of his power. Often when I went into battle, Myrddin occupied some space in my brain. It wasn’t like he was there, but I knew what his bidding was and I did it. That particular time, I did remember certain things like what Dean had said and then nothing else.
Sometimes I didn’t remember what I did in his name at all.
Which was fine because I was his good right hand.
“There are things we say that are for political purposes. You should understand that, spy. Those wanted posters were merely deterrents, and the announcement of the royals’ execution was the start of negotiations. Myrddin plays hardball, but I assure you he wouldn’t have marched in his former ward and executed him,” I said. “I would think you of all people would understand that this is war. Myrddin did attempt to negotiate with the king and Quinn several days after they returned. They were supposed to meet the day the queen blew up our home.”
The truth of the matter was I had been doing my own thing at the time. I had been trying to bring in Kelsey, and I hadn’t paid attention to what was happening beyond the fact that Myrddin was supposed to meet with the king. I hadn’t deemed that to be a dangerous thing because I trusted both my master and Donovan. They were rational beings and could find a way to coexist.
Sasha seemed to study me for a moment, and I rather thought he was deciding how to deal with me. “The queen deemed it the best time to get back the sword and grimoire.”
“Well, as Kelsey had Gladys in her hands during our fight, I’m going to deduce that she managed it. So I don’t know why you’re complaining. She came out of it with everything she wanted, and a superpowered vampire son. You’re welcome.”
His head cocked slightly. “You don’t know. Kelsey didn’t tell you. I have to wonder why.”
“Don’t know what? Is this part of the torture?”
“Oh, little girl, you know nothing of torture, and I will not be the one to teach you. I do know a bit about it, which is why I promise you a quick death if it comes to it. I cannot promise the same from Lee’s parents.”
“Again, he was doing criminal things.” I wasn’t sure what any of this had to do with me. I hadn’t been there.
“Do you know he talked about you in the beginning? He—and I mean Lee—was concerned that we left you behind,” Sasha said.
“I wasn’t left behind. I was with my people.” Except that hadn’t been how it felt at the time. I’d had no idea what was going to go down that day. I wasn’t powerful then. I was a charity project of Nimue’s. I, like the rest of the supernatural world, woke up to blood and death and the realization that witches could rule as well as any vampire.
I prayed no one ever knew what I’d done that day. I prayed no one ever learned that I’d been the one to give Sarah Day a chance to flee, to hide my master’s grimoire and the sword he desperately needed for his good works.
The heavenly sword that had no place in Hell and could never be used by Myrddin.
Doubt kept creeping in, and I hated it.
“Lee cried that night. For many reasons. He’d lost his family. He’d lost his home. He was eleven years old and he was angry with me because I wouldn’t go back to try to save you.” Sasha’s gaze was distant as though he could remember that day like it was yesterday. “He and Rhys approached me that night with a plan to get you out. They loved you. You were a part of their lives they thought they could save, and turning them down was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.”