Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 128061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
“This is a new suit. I’d rather not ruin it.” His smile made his eyes flash.
We stepped away a little, and his wings fluttered uncomfortably.
“My master has tasked me with informing you that he will be filing a list of grievances regarding your failure to properly follow raid protocol. He will also file grievances—as will a couple others, I assume—regarding the failed protocol at the introductory dinner. You had too much security on hand—the strange vampire and the basajaunak in particular.” He paused, holding my gaze, and I knew he hadn’t told Nelson about the invisible mages roaming around. The same invisible mages he’d likely seen lurking in the restaurant before coming out to find me. “Some of the leaders will file grievances regarding their introductory reception too, due to the nature of their…gifts.”
A heavy weight lodged in my middle. It felt like I was getting in trouble, like I was about to be pulled into the penalty box. Additionally, the system felt rigged. Those men might not like each other, but it felt like they were working together to make sure these grievances pulled me down to the very dredges of their society.
“And this?” I gestured behind me, indicating the food trucks. “I suppose my failure to follow protocol here will result in another list of grievances?”
“For a couple of them, very likely.”
“I know I’m supposed to be your enemy, but can you tell me how many of those might stick? Like…is this my undoing in gargoyle society?”
He paused for a moment. “In the short term, very likely. Cairn leaders can be prickly, and you are very new.”
Frustration ate at me. “Well. It was a helluva run.”
“Will you answer a question for me?”
“Sure, why not.”
He squinted a little and adjusted his footing, expanding his chest a little with a breath. His voice was soft, as if he didn’t want to be overheard. “In the raid, up in the air, why did you plaster yourself to me? Why did you heal me?”
We’d circled back to the why question.
“Because the spell hit you harder than I’d realized, and it would’ve killed you. Healing is more effective with contact, and I had a battle to get back to.”
His gaze was steady. “And the real reason for the contact?”
I studied him for a moment and then glanced around before wrapping us in a protective bubble, making it large enough that Austin would be in it, too. “No one will be able to hear us right now. Listen, long story short, we know there’s some sort of something going on with that orange blood you have. You came from somewhere other than an established cairn, and my people have a vague knowledge of where that somewhere might be. That’s all I care to know. Hiding your blood absolved me from any fault in outing you.”
“I am not your problem, and so you don’t care about mine?”
“Is that a trick question? Wouldn’t you rather I butt out?”
“Yes. I’m just stating the obvious.”
“Right.” I felt a grimace drag at my lips. When he phrased it like that, with the tone and harsh look and everything, I felt judged. I felt like I was letting him down. Which was crazy, because he was right—he wasn’t my problem. He basically ran my enemy’s team.
Still, though, old habits died hard—or would not go away, it seemed—and I found myself explaining.
“Honestly, I probably wouldn’t even know what creature you are. That, or I’d be surprised it’s real. I’m not saying I don’t care.” I reached forward and touched his forearm, then quickly pulled back because that was a little too friendly. “I do care, actually. That’s why I’m butting out. You seem to want to keep it a mystery, and you have a good reason. I respect that. I won’t allow myself or my team to blow your cover and ruin all you’ve achieved. I especially won’t allow that douche leader of yours to find out and turn you away because he’s a small-minded dipshit and I really want to punch him directly in the face…” I cleared my throat. “But anyway.”
“You protect what’s yours.”
It wasn’t phrased as a question, but felt like one anyway.
“Of course,” I said, taking a step back to tell him this chat was wrapping up. “That’s my duty.”
A grin pulled at his lips. “She was right about you. You’re entirely genuine, and you have a good and pure heart. Not at all like the rest of us.”
“Was that Niamh? Don’t believe her. She’s just trying to get your goat.”
He shook his head, his gaze finding Austin. “You can help her in there if you show a little of how an alpha does things. There have been a lot of rumors about the shifters, but the leaders don’t much believe them.” He shrugged. “But it’s your show.”