Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
But if Maxton wasn’t interested in her, there wasn’t a chance in hell he’d bite her. In fact, he’d just threatened to kill her.
MF arrived back at the small camp on the opposite side of the river from the village, finding Damien talking to Pet.
“The moment Maxton emerges from his lair at sunset, I want you to tell me,” Damien said.
“Why? Are you going to make out with him?” Pet asked.
“No, Pet. I wish to speak with him.”
Pet shrugged, her eyes spotting something off in the distance. “Mushroom!” Pet fluttered away.
“Come back here!” Damien shook his head.
“Hey,” MF said glumly, “I’m going to ask Brutus to give me a ride to the Uchben airstrip.”
“You’re leaving?” Damien cocked a brow. “I thought you wanted to help convince Maxton to go to LA.”
“I wanted to convince him to turn me, but that’s not going to happen.”
Damien’s turquoise eyes filled with pity. “Wars are not won in a day, MF. Give him time.”
“You have two days to get him back to LA.”
“I meant give him until tomorrow. Then we must haul ass home.”
“What’ll you do if he says no?” she asked.
“I will cross that bridge when I get there. For the moment, I have a few cards up my sleeve. MF, I must ask about something Brutus mentioned. He seems to believe you are romantically interested in Maxton. Is this true?”
Had her drooling been that obvious? How humiliating.
“No. I, uh, I think he’s handsome, but romance? Pfft! Not my thing.”
Damien nodded hesitantly. “Very good.”
“Why’re you asking?”
“Because I may have to kill him to save Sky or Willa.”
Her heart plummeted to the floor. “Kill?”
“I know Cimil wants him alive, but Cimil did not stipulate it in our deal. A mistake on her part. So he either comes along willingly, or he comes dead. Makes no difference to me. Unless you are lying, and it matters to you.”
Yes, Maxton had flat out rejected her. And maybe threatened to give her a violent death, but she didn’t want him to die. “I just think it’s better for everyone if he comes willingly.”
“But you’re okay if he doesn’t, yes?” Damien prodded. “It’ll mean you won’t become a vampire.”
Maybe not now, but if Damien killed Maxton, that door would be shut forever! On the other hand, was her vampirism more important than Sky’s life? MF was convinced Sky was the one for Damien. And who wanted to take away that kind of love from a man who needed it so much?
MF sighed. “Sure, boss. I’ll be okay.”
Damien patted her on the arm. “You’re a good woman, MF. Terrible taste in casual wear, but good nonetheless.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Kill the vampire? Is Damien mad? Willa thought. Even if Cimil had not been explicit about the terms, no way in hell would that crazy goddess accept a dead vampire on her doorstep. Cimil did not strike her as the sort of woman to appreciate being played either.
I would know. I am a sore loser, too. Also quite manipulative, she thought proudly as she hiked up the mountain with just a few minutes to go until sunset. She needed to put the whammy on the vampire before Damien got there.
She made her way up the steep, slippery path that snaked up the perimeter of the five-hundred-foot waterfall, and stopped just shy of the line of scrimmage: Maxton’s boundary. Once she crossed, she’d be fair game, completely reliant on her wits.
Willa drew a breath and stepped over the stones.
“Vampire!” she called out. “I have violated the sanctity of your territory and am approaching your lair. Come out here and face me!”
Willa came around a small bend on the trail and stopped.
“What are you doing here?” Maxton’s eyes were black, like a feral animal.
She smiled and waved her hand. “I have come with an important message, vampire. And you shall listen.”
“That went well!” Willa hiked down the trail, feeling very pleased with herself. The vampire had been much easier to bespell than she’d anticipated. Perhaps because he’d worn himself out fighting the beast.
Lucky me. Now all that was left was for Damien to choose her once he got back to LA. Which he would. Though, maybe I’ll put some insurance in place. Then Sky will die, and I’ll have Damien all to myself.
Willa would take out the MF bitch, too, once things settled down a bit. She’d make it seem like an accident. Vile little ex-vampire. Thinks she has the right to influence my man.
“Vampire!” Damien’s deep voice echoed down on the mountain.
Christ, he is coming this way!
“Maxton, it is I!” Damien called out. “I would have had Pet warn you of my visit, but she is currently engaged with fungi. But I come with important business! Come out and meet me! Or I will come to you, and you will not be spared from my beast this time!”