Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 142916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Drakos carried her up the pathway away from the group.
Castello followed, trying to look concerned. “You said this couple taught you about plants.” He put a hand on Drakos’ shoulder to stop him as the man went up the three long stone stairs leading to the wraparound verandah. “Are they young?”
“Keep going.” Silke pushed pain into her voice. “It’s really throbbing. I hate to be a baby, but I really need to tend to it.”
“You could have injured a tendon,” Drakos said. “I think you should call your doctor.”
Castello glared at Drakos, the red embers flickering in his eyes. He didn’t try to hide his displeasure that one of his followers wasn’t following orders.
Why wasn’t Herman Drakos the same fanatical follower as the others? He traveled with them. He was exposed to Castello’s influence. Silke’s mind raced with possible answers, none of which made sense. She decided to answer Castello to keep him from getting angry with Drakos. Demons were predictable when things didn’t go their way, especially ones with huge egos.
“Ethel and Bart Terpstra are in their seventies but believe me, they will be able to answer any of your questions on native plants and trees.”
Drakos carefully put her down right at the front door. She stood on one foot and held on to his arm for support. The man had carried her quite a distance without breaking a sweat. He’d gone up stairs and even held her while Castello had questioned her. He was strong. He might appear lean, but he was strong.
“Do they have children?” Castello asked.
“I’m so sorry, I wish I could stay and chat, but I really need to see to this injury. I’m sure Gesina will be able to answer your questions while she drives you back to your lodgings.”
“Let me take you inside,” Drakos insisted. “There’s no need to hop around on one foot and risk falling again. The others won’t mind waiting for me.”
Alarm bells shrieked at her. Was she missing the fact that Drakos was an expert actor? That he was doing Castello’s bidding after all?
She gave Drakos a small smile and shake of her head, her hand on the doorknob. “Thank you, I appreciate the offer, but my mother’s health is very fragile. I can’t take chances on exposing her to outsiders. She rarely leaves the house anymore because her immune system is compromised.”
With a little wave, she opened the door and hopped in on her one decent leg, hastily closing the door on her guests. She heard Castello mutter something ugly before she heard the footsteps stomping across the porch to the stairs.
“Come sit down,” Fenja greeted. “I’ve already prepared a poultice.”
“You were watching?”
“Of course. I got the signal you sent me to stay inside. The hand to your hair.”
“I wasn’t certain you were watching.” The relief was tremendous. She felt as if she’d been holding her breath until she saw with her own eyes that Fenja was safe.
“I’m always watching,” Fenja replied with her usual calm. “If there is a possibility that you’re in danger, I am always ready to aid you.” She took the small backpack from Silke and set it beside the chair closest to the fireplace. On the floor was a deep basin filled with water, leaves and flower petals.
Silke sank gratefully into the chair. “The leader of that little group is a demon in human form. It was clear to me he’s been in that form for a very long time.” She lowered her foot into the hot, soothing water.
“Did you recognize the type of demon he is?” Fenja asked.
“He’s one of the offspring made from human and demon and very high up in the hierarchy of demons. Lilith favors them because they’re strong, with many talents rather than just one. They’re also intelligent. She can place them aboveground because they’re able to integrate into human society. They have great charisma. Many cult leaders are hybrids sent by Lilith to infiltrate and wreak havoc.”
The water was so soothing on her ankle that she leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes. “I want to observe him more before I try to take him down. The sea serpent was bred to fight against the crystal lights that normally would have killed it. Even when I changed the spectrum, the serpent quickly adapted.”
“Do you think this demon will also be somewhat immune to the crystal sword?”
Silke rubbed her temple. She had the beginnings of a headache. Castello had pushed at her brain continuously to get to the information he sought. He probably rarely ran into humans who could resist his mental manipulation, but she believed Herman Drakos was just such a person. Castello had to have run into others. It may have made him suspicious that he couldn’t read Silke or influence her, but in the end, she had failed the tests of a true slayer.