Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 106292 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106292 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
A smirk pulls at the corner of Nikolai’s lips. “If only it were that easy,” he says. “But unfortunately for you, no one knows you exist. I can’t betray the blood when there’s no record of a blood heir ever being born. As far as I’m concerned, Lawson DeVil was the rightful leader, and on paper, I was a faithful servant.”
My father lets out a heavy breath, shaking his head. After all, he knows Nikolai is right. My father’s existence was the best kept secret Empire has ever had, something men like Lawson DeVil and Nikolai Thorne would have gone to extreme lengths to keep buried. And now, I suppose that means Zade, too.
“Tell me how I can save her,” he says, begging.
Nikolai’s soft laugh is like a knife right through my chest. “You know just as well as I do, Matthias, you can’t save her. This is her fate. Zade DeVil will find her, and when the time comes, he will carve her heart right out of her chest and offer it as his sacrifice.”
A chill sails down my spine, and I stumble back a step, wishing there were something I could do. Anything that could save me from the horrors of Zade’s knife.
“Please, Nikolai. What if this was your son, your daughter?” Dad pushes. “Surely you couldn’t sit back and accept it?”
“You’re right, I wouldn’t just sit back. I would tell them to hold their head high with pride,” he says. “Giving one’s life for such a cause is admirable. You should be honored that your daughter is seen to hold such value within our ranks.”
“Value?” my father splutters. “She should be seen as your fucking queen. She is the blood heir. The power belongs to her and her alone. The Circle members are betraying the blood. You must do something. Right this wrong, Nikolai.”
He laughs and holds his arms out wide. “What do you think I can do?” he spits. “Look at me, Matthias. I am rotting down here with you, waiting on a private trial. My word is weightless, my pull is none. I am a traitor to my people. There is nothing I can do to change this. Your only choice is to accept it with grace.”
“I won’t do that.”
“Then there is nothing more I can offer you.”
My father lets out a heavy breath and looks back at me with sorrow in his eyes. “I’ve failed you, O. I failed you as a child. I wasn’t strong enough to withstand Empire’s rule, and now I’ve failed you again. I don’t know how to save you.”
A tear falls down my cheek, and I hastily wipe it away, hating to see my father falling apart like this. I know I never really got a chance to get to know him, but I always pictured him as a strong warrior, always ready to protect his little girl. It kills me to see him like this now. “I don’t need you to save me, Dad. I can save myself.”
He shakes his head. “I admire this strong woman you’ve grown into, Oakley. You’re so fierce and determined, but there’s no standing against Empire. Don’t be foolish. Zade DeVil will come looking for you. He will take you out of here, and in the hour before dawn, he will slaughter you. He will take your heart in his hand and tear it right out of your chest while he listens to your agonized screams. All you can hope for is that he does it quickly.”
I shake my head. “It’s not going to happen,” I tell him. “Even if it means taking Empire for myself. I won’t give up my life for anyone.”
“I’m so sorry, my sweet, sweet little girl. Had I had the chance to raise you, perhaps you would be able to see this clearly. I could have prepared you, and we could have fought together. We would have ruled together.”
“I promise you, Father,” I tell him, feeling my determination coming back to me. “You haven’t failed me. If anything, I’ve failed you. I should have come looking, and I should have saved you from this hell a long time ago. I’m not going to let you die down here. I’m going to break free, and I’m taking you with me.”
Chapter 2
ZADE
Cross moves through my penthouse, his towel slung over his shoulder and his snake weaving through his fingers as he attempts to annihilate everything in my kitchen. He’s just finished a workout, and I can’t help but stare at the portrait of Oakley inked on his back. As much as the girl infuriates me, there’s no denying she’s a fucking phenomenal artist. The way she captured Venom weaving in and out of her eyes is the most beautiful yet haunting thing I’ve ever seen. It looks like the snake is quite literally plunging through Cross’ skin.