Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 89379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
“It couldn’t be him,” Sven said. “He has no way to create a portal.”
“You underestimate his determination. As far he’s concerned, he owns us. I didn’t think he’d go to such ends, but clearly, he’ll stop at nothing to get us back.”
“Can someone please explain what’s going on because I’m completely lost?”
“In a moment,” Vasilios replied. “Finish your story.”
I clasped my hands together, not liking all the cloak and dagger. “As I said, whatever this person put in my drink caused me to pass out. When I came to, I was lying on the floor in a pool of someone else’s blood with a knife in my hand.” I left out the part where they’d incorrectly placed it in my right hand instead of my left, which tipped the Guard off that something fishy was going on. “Then I discovered Belinda’s body. She’d been stabbed to death, and someone had gone out of their way to make it look like I did it. I had no evidence to prove I hadn’t, and everyone at school knew we despised each other, so it was the perfect setup.”
“You were wrongfully convicted,” Sven stated.
“Yes. Just like I’ve been telling you all this time. Now tell me what has you both so spooked.”
Vasilios leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, when suddenly Marcel appeared. He was carrying his empty tray back to the counter. “Hello, dear friend,” he said as he hobbled along.
“I’m not your friend,” Vasilios replied. “Not in here. You know that.”
“We’re family,” Marcel countered. “Doesn’t family mean anything to you?”
“It does, but as I said, it counts for nothing in here.”
“You are callous, just like your father. I thought maybe you wouldn’t be quite as cruel as Theodore, but clearly, I was wrong. You’ll probably go mad, too, just like he did in the end.”
Vasilios frowned. “What are you talking about, old man?”
“He was too powerful. It all went to his head, and he turned brutal. It’s why I had to leave him and why I ended up here when I didn’t have his power to protect me.”
Vasilios stood and approached Marcel, his shoulders tense. “You’re lying.”
“Sadly, I’m not. I loved your father dearly, but he was completely insane. He could’ve been the greatest sorcerer the world had ever seen if only he’d kept a tighter leash on his sanity.”
Vasilios grew incensed and looked like he might lash out, but then Serg appeared and stood between them. “What’s going on here? I hope you’re not fraternising outside your kind, warlock,” he said as he stared down at Marcel. As a shapeshifter, Serg was already intimidating, and that was before you factored in all the tattoos and piercings. His neck was thicker than mine twice over.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Marcel replied, looking terrified before scurrying away.
Serg brought his attention back to Vasilios, who had moved to retake his seat next to mine. The shapeshifter’s shrewd gaze landed on me as he turned the chair next to Sven backward and lowered into it, resting his wide arms along the back as his attention wandered over me.
“I see you’ve recovered from the hard times that befell you, princess,” he said, eyeing me up and down with appreciation.
“I take care of my own,” Vasilios interjected, and Serg shot him a sharp look before returning his attention to me.
“I’d like you to come with me to Sarasin’s Midnight. You’ll be my honoured guest.”
My stomach tensed. For one, I didn’t like how Serg was eyeing me now that I was looking far less bedraggled than before. And for two, I still had no idea what Sarasin’s Midnight was, and from what Vasilios had said, I didn’t want to know.
Speaking of Vasilios, I could tell he was pissed by how his jaw ticked. “Out of the question,” he fumed.
Serg shot him a look. “And why is that?”
“Because she’s already going to be attending with me,” he responded, and I almost choked on my surprise.
Serg’s face hardened. “I see. Well, maybe next time.” He rose from the chair and slunk away as I turned my attention to Vasilios.
“What the hell? You won’t even tell me what Sarasin’s Midnight is, and now, you want me to go with you?”
“I don’t want you to go with me, but it’s either that or I let you go with Serg, who will force himself on you as soon as he gets you alone.”
“What? Serg wouldn’t do something like that. He’s scary, but that doesn’t make him a rapist.”
“It’s not a chance I’m willing to take,” Vasilios replied, voice hard.
“You can’t take her,” Sven cut in. “What if she gets chosen?”
“Gets chosen for what?” I asked.
Vasilios refused to answer, and I let out a noise of frustration. “Oh, come on. You can’t let me go in blind. If I’m attending this mysterious event with you, then at least let me go in with my eyes open.”