Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 98082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
“And how will the bishop feel about this?”
“You leave me to deal with that. I am taking precautions to cover someone important to the both of us. He will see reason when needed,” she replies.
“And how do you plan to help me?”
“You want your freedom, don’t you? I will free you before the battle begins. You will be able to fight of your own free will. Is this not all you desire?”
“What about the others? My brothers are being forced into a battle that will cost them their lives. You see this as well as I do. Otherwise, you wouldn't be asking me to do you this favor,” I say.
“You, my dear, need to learn when to be selfish. I can offer you help. There is nothing I can do for the others. He will take them as far into this as he needs them. If that requires their end, so be it. But you can walk away with your life.”
“Why should I betray him for you? What have you done to help me thus far? It is because of you I am in this state.
“And you are right, I don't know what you are. I could be agreeing to a deal with a trickster.”
“Or you could be signing up for your death if you remain this way. Take my help and at least see your way through this.”
“Maybe my existence has already been long enough.”
“Take the deal,” she snarls into my head. “You are not innocent in all of this. You have followed him for centuries. Blood creates a path that follows him, so your hands must be soaked in it. You cannot escape the past, but I’m giving you an option for the future. Take the deal.”
I don’t trust her, but I think it over. If my mind and body are free to enter the battle of my own accord, I may be able to help some of my brothers. I know I’m not the only one who feels like this isn’t what we signed up for. And if they had the information I have, they would all raise a coup.
“What the fuck are you waiting for?” the bishop snaps at her.
“I am waiting for him to call to me. Then I can weave my way into astral projecting him here to speak with us. You know this takes time, Your Grace. I only ask for a little more of your patience.”
“Hurry this up. This isn’t the only task I have to oversee. I want to be done with this and the incompetence around me,” he hisses back at her.
“Do we have a deal?”
“Yes,” I bite out for her thoughts only.
As soon as I agree to this arrangement, a young man appears in the room. However, he’s in his ethereal form. She has truly astral projected this young male fairy to kneel before us.
“Cole, is it?” she says to him.
“Y … yes. I am Cole. Who are you?”
“That doesn’t matter. My friends and I are here to help you.”
This Cole looks around as his brow knits. His gaze lands on me and then bounces back to the bishop. Recognition fills his eyes.
“No, I want no part of this. I’ve gotten myself into enough trouble. I only wished to help Seraphina.
“Not cross the kings. These two are not like us. Why would you bring me here?”
He shakes his head and begins to look more confused. His eyes begin to glow as he sniffs the air. I grin as I note he has picked up on what I had.
“You are of the dark. You and I are not the same either. What do you want from me?”
“I want to help you free Seraphina. You are to get her out of her cell and away from there, where I can locate her to bring her to me,” she says.
“How am I to get her from her cell?”
“With a little help from me. Take this necklace. When the opportunity arises, free her. The necklace will help then lead you to me.”
“But—”
The image of the male fades. The bishop growls and backhands her. He hits her so hard she spins before she falls to the floor.
I want to lunge at him, but I’m still unable to move. How dare he hit a woman? He has lost all principles.
I can’t believe this is the leader I once followed. Has this always been his true face? Or is this who he’s become after all this time of searching, waiting, and plotting?
“I asked you to find me the girl. What the fuck was that? If Seraphina is in their prison, why are you not using her to get me to them? What kind of games do you think you’re playing with me?”
“I’m not playing any games. This is the means to the end you desire. You once trusted me. I’m asking you to do so now.”