Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 67092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
“It’s not just that,” Kaleb said darkly. “The soul is the source of morality—of decency. Without a soul, a person can be as evil as they want without a pang of conscience. Which means that all Unbondables are essentially sociopaths—they don’t give a damn about anyone but themselves and they don’t care who they have to hurt to get what they want.”
“Oh,” Kara said in a low voice. The handsome stranger at the back of the transport no longer seemed quite so intriguing. Still, she couldn’t help risking one more glance at him.
This time he was standing quietly, the grin wiped off his face. When Kara looked at him, he nodded once, soberly. She wondered if he was confirming what her brother had said about him. Was he admitting that he was an evil person? Or at least, an amoral one? But would a truly evil person admit they were evil?
She made herself face front and look away. Soon after, the transport came to their stop and she and Kaleb made their way out. Kara didn’t allow herself to look back at the Unbondable male but she could swear she felt those strange eyes, the silver-ringed pools of blackness, staring at her back until the transport pulled away.
Two
“I’m worried about her, Sylvan.”
Her mother’s voice made Kara freeze in the hallway and hang back instead of entering the family living area on her way to find a midnight snack in the food prep area as she had planned.
“She’ll be fine, talana. She just has to find her place, that’s all.”
“But she’s so different…she can’t even keep a human boyfriend because of those awful fangs!”
Peeking around the corner, Kara saw that her mother had tears in her large green eyes. Though she was forty-five now, Sophia still looked like she was in her early thirties. Kindred aged slowly and anyone soul-bonded to one aged slowly as well. Sylvan, her father, looked distinguished with just a hint of silver at his temples—it was nearly invisible in his pale blond hair. Besides that, he had a few wrinkles around the corners of his eyes which made him look wise.
“May I remind you, talana, that it was by my ‘awful fangs’ that we were bonded and have stayed together all these years?” Sylvan said dryly. He was sitting on the couch in front of the fireplace and Sophia was curled up at his side.
“Yes, but you’re male—it’s socially acceptable for you to have fangs,” Sophia pointed out. “I’m afraid that Kara having them will condemn her to a life of loneliness. She’s such a beautiful girl but none of the warriors on the ship want anything to do with her.” She put a fist to her chest. “It just hurts my heart, Sylvan.”
“From a father’s point of view, lack of suitors isn’t exactly a problem.” Sylvan sighed. “But I understand how you feel, sweetheart. It’s hard when your child is different—hard to see them rejected and hurt. At least Kara has her brother to stand by her.”
“And what happens when Kaleb finds a mate?” Sophia demanded. “It won’t be long now. Shad is already bonded and you know War and Peace have had their eyes on Ziza forever. And Daniel’s bound to find someone soon too. What happens if they all pair off and Kara is left all alone?”
“I don’t believe that’s going to happen,” Sylvan said calmly. “I remember when I myself despaired of ever finding a bride. I even took an oath never to call one—don’t you remember?”
“That was just because that old girlfriend of yours on Tranq Prime broke your heart,” Sophia objected. “Speaking of Tranq Prime, I heard a rumor somewhere that they have a treatment for fangs there. They use it on Kindred males but—”
“Don’t even consider that.” Sylvan’s voice was uncharacteristically harsh and Kara saw her mother’s eyes widen at his tone.
“I just thought…your aunt and uncle, Zeelah and Grennly are there—”
“No!” Sylvan’s voice cracked like a whip in the quiet living area. “It’s dangerous, Sophia. Something the Primes invented because of their hatred of the Kindred. Don’t speak of it again.”
“I’m sorry,” Sophia said in a low voice and the tears that had been glimmering in her eyes rolled down her cheeks. “I just worry about her so much, Sylvan! And if it wasn’t for those fangs—”
“Fangs or no, Kara will find someone in the fullness of time,” Sylvan said firmly. He gathered his mate into his arms and cradled her close to his broad chest, kissing her tears away. “Don’t cry, talana—the Goddess has someone for everyone. She brought you to me, didn’t she? She won’t allow Kara to live a lonely, unfulfilled life. You just have to have faith.”
“It…it would be different if she wanted to be alone.” Sophia sniffed miserably. “It’s not because I want grand babies, although you know I do someday. Some people are made to be single but I just don’t believe Kara is one of them.”