Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
“If they can drain her blood, that makes her weak,” Alexander said, realizing she could die. Knowing other beings were after her, who wanted the power she possessed.
“No, she is not weak. She is strong. No one can take from her unless she grants it.”
This made Alexander frown. “What?”
“No one can take from her. Her word is law. All must bow down and abide by her rule.”
Alexander found this even more confusing. He stared at Layla and his gaze was drawn to the pictures around her room. Her friend. Elle.
“Her word is law but if someone she cares about is taken, hurt, and they want her to comply, that is her weakness?”
“Yes. We tried to not let her connect, but the human was the first person to not be afraid of her. Elle and Layla have been friends for a long time. There’s no denying their friendship.”
Alexander couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“I’ve got to warn Brandon.”
“The more people that know, the tale of who she is whispers on the air. We must keep her identity a secret. No one can know. She is under your protection now as much as she is ours.”
And with that, the gargoyles stepped out of the room. As they did, he turned toward Layla as she suddenly gasped. Hand going to her chest, she began to pant.
He went to her side, wrapping his arms around her. “It’s okay. It’s okay. It was just a bad dream.”
“It was Elle,” Layla said. “She was giving birth but something bad was happening and I couldn’t stop it.”
Holy shit. He had a feeling Layla got premonitions as well, only they came in the form of a bad dream.
How the fuck was he going to protect her on Brandon’s land?
Chapter Six
A Couple of Days Later
“You’re looking a lot better,” Elle said. “I missed you at the full moon gathering but I figured you were getting some rest.”
Layla thought about Alexander beside her. She had never felt so at peace. Sleep had come easy to her. She hadn’t been dreaming, and then it was like he’d been getting ready to leave her, and the nightmare had started. One moment, she’d been sleeping, and the next, she’d been there while Elle had been killed and her baby stolen. The only problem was, it hadn’t felt like a dream.
Her dreams never did feel like they were pretend. Every single time, it felt real, like she had lived it, or was going to live it. It must make her sound crazy.
“Yeah, I got some rest last night.” Alexander had stayed with her after the nightmare. He helped to calm her down, and she’d been able to go back to sleep. There hadn’t been time for nightmares, because she had felt him leave the moment he did, to escape the sun.
“Lewis asked after you.”
“Great.”
There was a silence and then Elle grabbed her hand. “I think he could be falling for you.”
“No, he couldn’t.” Layla giggled at her friend’s attempt to matchmake. “You know you’re terrible at this, don’t you?”
Elle shrugged her shoulders. “I’m not terrible. I just want my best friend to have the same kind of happiness I have. Anyway, come this way.”
They were at Brandon’s house. Elle had insisted she come around. Brandon was busy with pack stuff, and he’d given her permission to take Layla to the records, at least this is what Elle had told her. She didn’t believe her friend was lying to her.
They arrived at an old-looking house. It was one Layla hadn’t seen before, but she’d never explored Brandon’s home. Even when she was a kid, there were places she simply knew she shouldn’t go, and anything to do with the Alpha’s land was strictly off-limits.
Elle held a key in her hand, and they stepped inside. The smell of musty old books, as well as dust, hit Layla instantly. She quickly turned her head and let out a sneeze.
“Brandon doesn’t allow anyone to come and clean.”
“So, you’re saying there could be spiders?” Layla asked.
“Possibly. I’ve been here several times and haven’t seen any, so maybe not. Perhaps the books scare them.” Elle gave a shrug.
“Do you ever wonder what it would be like for us to not know about wolves and vampires?” Layla saw the volumes of books. They were thick and she reached out to touch the spines. She didn’t know why, but for some odd reason, she expected them to disintegrate or something, especially with how old they were. “How do they keep them preserved?”
“Brandon said it has something to do with magic. Documenting their existence for the future. I’m guessing Crazy Lizzie is responsible for it, or another witch, or possible coven.” Elle tucked some hair behind her ear and moved toward the table.
“Can I look?” Layla asked.
“Sure, sure. I don’t think they’re going to be much good. There’s very little English. It’s some old kind of language that I don’t understand. Brandon does and he’s been trying to help me translate it.” Elle held up a piece of paper.