Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 111898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 559(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 559(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
“You did it!” she said, jumping to her feet. “I never doubted you.”
“As well you shouldn’t. I’m amazing.”
She couldn’t hear his voice, but she knew it mimicked Roc’s; Rathbone’s mouth moved differently than usual. Stiffer. And okay, yeah, the transformation was kind of losing its appeal. If he became the people he portrayed, he might start to desire Taliyah, giving Neeka more competition to overcome.
“That you are,” she agreed. “Because you’re you. Capable of anything.”
He straightened his shoulders, as if her praise had gone straight to his head. Holding out his hand, he showed her the ilium. “Azar didn’t hesitate to part with his prize.”
“Congrats. But you’re feeling all right?” Worry coiled around her. “Your molecular makeup hasn’t shifted so much you feel icky?”
“Icky?” One of his brows arched, amusement glittering in his odd irises. “The shift proved easier than ever, and I don’t know why.”
Ooh. That, she liked. “Maybe because you’re more you than ever?” she asked, presenting her cuffed wrists. “Be a dear and free me, then get us the heck out of Dodge. I’m not a fan of my new metal. It makes me weak.”
“With a mind like yours, carrot, you are never weak.” He hung the bone at his waist, clasped her wrist cuffs, and tugged her closer.
What a kind thing to say. Not entirely accurate but kind. “You... I...well.” Deep breath in. Out. “As I was saying, we should go. I sense danger.” Of course, she’d sensed danger before they’d arrived in Harpina, but that was neither here nor there.
He removed the shackles with ease and reached for the wing pinner.
A scowling Azar appeared, a dagger in each grip.
“My suspicions were correct. You are not my Commander,” the warlord snarled. “Wherever you go, I will follow. Don’t think you can hide in the Realm of the Forgotten. I have acquired a key.”
A new ring graced his left thumb. “How’d you get it?”
“Hades gave one to Taliyah.”
Rathbone thrust Neeka behind him when she geared to attack.
“You stole from my girl?” she shouted. Dang it! If she hadn’t mooned over Rathbone’s last comment to her, she would be free of the final restraint, and they’d be home already. But nooo. Her stupid feelings had to go and foil the perfect plan. Although, how Azar had known to acquire a key to the Realm of the Forgotten, she could only guess. Grenwich. Her mother must have tracked them there.
“I’ve wanted a go at you for a long time,” Rathbone stated, palming daggers of his own.
“The feeling is mutual.” In a blur of motion, the Astra swiped at him, each blade swinging in a different direction. A totally baller move Neeka planned to learn.
Rathbone dodged, shifting into some kind of prehistoric leopard as he sprang into a counterattack. As the two grappled with inconceivable savagery, she did everything in her power to ditch the stupid wing pinner. Weak as she was, she got nowhere fast. But maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing? Despite the cramped quarters, neither male came close to her. Rathbone, her pretty kitty, continued to steer the violence as far from her as possible.
“Hurt him good, Red Rocket!” she called, certain she watched him with goo-goo eyes.
Both combatants landed blows. Arcs of crimson sprayed across the cell. Some hot droplets splattered on Neeka’s skin. Medicine! Strength! Oh, how she needed strength...
Her mouth watered as she bent her head. The scent of exotic spices and juniper berries left her shivering with want. But... She sniffed, catching a hint of an unfamiliar fragrance. Azar’s?
Ugh. A mix of bloods would only confuse matters more. If Azar’s blood made her sick yet Rathbone’s calmed her stomach, she’d learn nothing and wonder harder. Wasn’t worth the risk.
Suddenly the bone Rathbone acquired clattered to the floor. The guys wrenched apart, reacting as if they’d heard an end-of-round bell. Her king shifted into his original packaging, and both opponents stared at the piece of Lore. Then they focused on each other. Well, focused was too mild a term. They warred with their eyes, two starving animals sealed inside an arena with a single slab of meat.
One...three...six heartbeats passed in suspended silence as Neeka contemplated her options, using her foresight to measure the odds of success. Dive for it? No. The flashers would beat her there. Throw herself at the Astra, allowing Rathbone to reclaim it? Yes. That. Not the most brilliant of plans but effective.
Before she made a move, however, Azar tossed a dagger—at her! He lunged, going for the bone, leaving Rathbone with a split-second choice. To her astonishment, he materialized directly in front of her. The blade sank into his chest but still she jolted. He’d saved her from a cut and a bit of pain instead of collecting a precious bone? Neeka’s eyes widened. What did this mean?
Her knees knocked as he flashed again, going for the bone next, but he was too late. Azar already had it in hand. The Astra backed up, smug.