Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 48827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
“They seemed newly transitioned,” Zachariah says. “They were not properly trained, but their newly inherited strength was enough to overwhelm mine.”
I tilt my head at that, knowing very well how much power my once-upon-a-time-mate possesses. And depending on how long he's been awake and who he's been killing or bargaining with, it could be infinitely more. But he's not sharing that with the king. Why?
I mentally recheck my mental shields, internally inspecting to make sure they’re completely intact.
Mental shielding is one of the first things we're taught as huntresses, and it's something I've grown very good at over the last few centuries. Even now, I can feel the king's power tapping on those shields and searching for any weaknesses, and I'd be lying if I said it wasn't an effort to keep him out, but it is. As a vampire under his rule, normally there’d be nothing I’d deny my king, but mind-sharing is something that takes trust, and the king and I are strangers despite my loyalty to the crown. Luckily, he backs off quick enough that I don’t judge him harshly.
The king lets out a heavy sigh, shaking his head. “We need to return to the scene, gather any identification or information we can, and burn the bodies.”
“I’ll get someone on it,” Zachariah answers, taking his dismissal and heading toward the doors.
I move much slower, wondering what the hell I'm expected to do now? I hadn't exactly accounted for running into my ex-mate, especially since I thought he was still deep in stasis.
The fact that he didn't call out to me upon awakening speaks volumes about his priorities, and the old, familiar sting of always coming second to duty slices into me all over again.
I head toward the doors, because it’s the only exit, and I absolutely need to get the fuck out of here.
“Talia,” the king says my name, and I turn to look at him over my shoulder. “I’d appreciate it if you’d stay here with us. You might have more information we’ll need.”
I internally cringe, not wanting to stay close to Zachariah for another minute, but I can’t say no to the king. “Of course, your Highness.”
“Good. Zachariah can show you to one of our spare rooms.” He cocks his head. “Ashcroft,” he says my surname, almost like an afterthought. “Does that mean you’re from the Nottingham Ashcroft line?”
I stiffen at the noble title, my heart clenching. “I used to be.”
CHAPTER 3
Zachariah
“Corbin. Thorne,” I say once I reach the pair near the residence entryway. “Take Warwick and gather any information you can on the bodies we left behind.” I take Corbin's phone, typing out the location of the cave in Lycan territory and hand it back to him. “And then burn them.”
The pair of rookie assassins nod, but Saint comes around the corner, barely glancing up at me before saying, “I'll supervise.”
He's already out the door before Corbin and Thorne have even moved, making me wonder what has him aching to get out.
I give the rookies a nod, and they take off.
Panic still clings to my senses, my every instinct alerting me to the fact that Talia is still standing behind me. Not from any need to be near me, but because my king asked her to stay.
“I’ll show you to a room,” I say as I turn to face her, my knees almost buckling at the sight of her. Now that the initial shock has worn off, I can't help but notice how exceptionally gorgeous she is. She looks the same as she did centuries ago, yet hardened in a way that makes her absolutely lethal. And it's not just the huntress outfit, but the iciness in her lilac eyes.
If looks could kill, I’d be dead on the floor right now.
“I can find you one in the palace,” I continue, remembering she'd been raised with all the privilege and status that nobility affords—
“I left that all behind me centuries ago,” she cuts me off. Her eyes flit to the door where Thorne and Corbin disappeared, a battle raging there as if she might disobey her king’s wishes and make a break for it.
“Then you can stay here in the residence,” I say, leading her away from the doors and toward my own quarters.
By some miracle, she follows.
“This room next to mine has been empty since we arrived,” I explain, stopping in front of the room and opening the door. “All the assassins and hunters live under one roof here.”
She snorts out a laugh. “That makes all of you a huge target,” she says, shaking her head. “I never like to stay in one place too long.”
Silence surrounds us, heavy and thick and suffocating.
She lingers outside the door I opened for her, barely giving the room a second glance.
“I can't believe you're still alive,” I finally blurt. “When I woke up, I reached out to Gunther and Noah. Neither one of them knew you were alive. They told me you had died in the sixteen hundreds.”