Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 129268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 646(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 646(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
My focus leaves me as I sense a flood of warmth in front of me. Again the tunnel seems to end, but as I expect, thick curtains cut off the passage. I pull at the dark fabric to reveal a brightly lit room. Veronica doesn’t hesitate to walk into the luxurious space and I follow her lead. She leaves my hold, but I’m quick to pull her ass back to me. She’s mine. And all these fuckers are going to see that.
Apart from a raised brow, she doesn’t object to my touch. Good girl.
The vast room is more of what I expected to see from her queen and ancient coven. The walls and ceiling are covered in ornate designs. Breathing in deep, I take in the scent of minerals. Gold. It’s painted in gold. A closer look at the rough rock walls reveals luxury and decadence beyond belief. The masterful artistry on display must have taken decades to create. I have to squint to make out the hundreds of small fires blending together across the expansive space to make a literal wall of fire. The tone-on-tone metallic paint reflects the flames to the point where it nearly pains my eyes to stare straight ahead. Most of the furniture in the room appears ancient; the seats are intricately carved pieces lined with bloodred velvet fabric. It’s completely at odds with the modern, clear acrylic table in the very center of the room.
The seat at the head of the table is taken by a tall, pale woman with smooth skin and black silky hair down to her small waist. Her sharp red nail pierces into her lip as her dark eyes find us. She rises in a blur of motion but then takes a small, slow step forward, making the black jewels adorning her dress clink together as she walks. She reeks of wealth and power. Her nearly black eyes have a youthful shine although I know better.
The other vampires in the room hardly take notice of our entry. But the humans, all wearing the same pants or halter dresses of white linen, take an obvious interest in our presence. All look to us but a single woman lying still on a plush white hide off to the right side of the room. For a moment I tense, thinking the human is dead. But the air carries no scent of decay. I watch her chest gently rise and fall. Fresh, open wounds on her neck indicate someone drank from her recently, but she’s alone on the floor. My gut twists with the thought that the humans are here against their will, present only to satisfy the thirst of the vamps. The delight evident in the sets of eyes following our movement begs to differ with my assumption. I would quietly ask Veronica for confirmation, but vampires are known for their ability to hear at great distances.
My curiosity will have to wait.
The seductive voice of the black-eyed queen echoes gently off of the walls. “Veronica, my darling. You’ve brought a guest?”
A devious smile brightens Veronica’s crimson lips. The firelight illuminates her tan skin. She’s breathtaking in this lighting, glowing with a golden sheen. My pulse races and desire threatens to consume me. My gorgeous mate is in her element and she thrives here. I can feel her strength through our bond; I practically see her transform into the fierce warrior I met in the alley.
Before I claimed her.
Before I broke her. I shake off the thought. No, I’m healing her. She’s hurting. Her ability to hide her pain is extraordinary. My eyes travel along her beautiful face, alight with mischief and seduction.
“A guest, or a snack?” a pale man with the same dark eyes says. In less time than it takes to blink, he makes his way across the room to stand in front of me. I swallow thickly, not letting their speed and number cause any more alarm than the initial shock. His clothes and the way his short blond hair is styled nearly make him look human. But his eyes give away his dependency on consuming blood.
“Braeden, you know I don’t share.” Veronica’s voice is playful as she turns her back on her coven to pat the center of my chest. Her head tilts up at me and I don’t waste a second to bend down and give her a small kiss on the lips. I keep my eyes closed longer than necessary, sending a clear sign to them that I don’t fear their presence. They’re no threat to me. At least that’s what my actions suggest.
She waits until I open my eyes and I’m caught in her gaze for only a moment as she peers back up at me. There’s something there, something between us, but it’s quickly forgotten.
Veronica spins to face them, causing her leather skirt to flare around her. “I’ve found a mate, Adreana. I’ll be staying with him for a while.” A tic in my jaw spasms and my eyes harden on her back. A while? My stomach sinks as I realize the full weight of her words. My life span will be a blip in her existence.