Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 125083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Elias twisted his mouth. “We’d get a discount, and she’d agree not to make potions like this for the vamps?”
Wynter dipped her chin. “Yup.”
Elias finally nodded. “We’re gonna want more of those.”
One of the lycans behind Elias sidled up to him. “It’s that good?”
“It’s that good,” Elias confirmed.
“As I said, they’ll be on sale as of tomorrow.” She cut her gaze to a female near Diego. “Nice nail art. I’ll bet it comes right off after you shift, though, right?”
“Obviously,” she said, though not too rudely.
“Another of my crew whips up her own bespelled cosmetics and stuff,” Wynter told her. “She makes nail polish that will not only actually stay on when you shift but still be perfectly intact when you shift back.”
Her lips parted. “You’re shitting me.”
Wynter smiled. “Nope. She made it for herself. She can shapeshift, so if you see a small black cat with painted claws, that’ll be Delilah.” Really, Delilah could shift into a cat of any size, but she mostly used the form of a domestic cat … unless deep in battle. “She’ll be selling her products tomorrow, too.”
“Where?”
“Here. Baked goods will also be up for purchase, thanks to Hattie. Xavier’s the best at tarot card readings, if you’re interested in those. And me? Well, if you have a weapon you’d like to be made a little more … interesting than it already is, bring it to me. We’ll be running a sort of one-stop-shop. You should check it out. Now, I gotta go, I have some more free samples to give out. You all enjoy the rest of your day.”
Wynter sought out leaders of several species—minus those who’d refused to employ her or her crew—and offered them free samples of potions that would appeal to them, telling them all about the upcoming one-stop shop. Each interaction went pretty well, since the leaders all tried the samples and were impressed by the effects.
The box of vials empty, she headed back home. She was approaching the corner of her street when she noticed Maxim.
Spotting her, he altered his course and made a beeline for her. “Priestess.”
“Wynter is fine. How are you, Maxim?”
“I’m well, thank you. Cain would like to see you.”
Being sent for like this couldn’t be good. But even as her stomach sank, her hormones perversely fanned themselves.
“Follow me,” Maxim added. “I’ll escort you to him.”
Trying not to feel like she was walking the damn plank, she trailed after him as he led her through the bailey and toward the Keep. Curiosity dimmed her nervousness. She’d wondered just what it would be like inside. Wondered what sort of home would appeal to someone like Cain.
Passing two guards, she and Maxim strode through the thick wooden doors. As they walked through the arched halls of the castle, she saw that it was a fusion of both the old and the new. She wouldn’t have thought the two styles would go well together, but it somehow worked.
Even with the modern amenities and state-of-the-art features, the place still had an Old World feel with the carved columns, ornamental arches, beautiful flooring, and the domed, frescoed ceilings. The Keep also boasted an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and other artwork.
Maxim led her outside, across a courtyard, and through tall iron gates that made her think of a cemetery. “Stay on the path. It’s important.”
“Okay.” She trailed behind him once more, and then they were in a garden that was like no garden she’d ever seen before. It was gothic and brooding.
Flowers were everywhere in shades of black, scarlet red, and burgundy, including Black Dahlia and Bleeding Heart Dicentra. There were also some night-blooming plants that she knew would glow and give off intoxicating scents after dark.
She recognized some ancient herbs that were often used in forbidden magick spells. There were also lots of vines on the wall ruins that were scattered around. It wasn’t until one of the vines moved that she realized not all were vines. Some were snakes.
Choosing to ignore that little nugget, she continued admiring her surroundings as she wandered down the twisted path. She particularly liked the moss-covered urns and gargoyles that bordered a bog-like pond. A complicated rockery caught her eye, and she realized that all the rocks were actually skull-shaped.
Finally, she and Maxim reached a little nook. Seated on a wrought-iron bench, Cain locked his dark eyes on her. Her insides again did that twisting thing, and warmth bloomed low. The damn immortal stirred up everything feminine inside her.
It wasn’t only his looks that did it for her. She was self-aware enough to know that what really rung her bell was that Cain wore power. Embodied it. It was in the depths of his eyes, the timbre of his voice, every single sensual move he made. And, well, she’d always had a weakness for dangerous men. It would no doubt one day be her downfall.