Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 125179 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 626(@200wpm)___ 501(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125179 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 626(@200wpm)___ 501(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
He’d tried convincing Wynter on numerous occasions that her guilt was senseless. He’d insisted that there was no reason she shouldn’t have bought the lies she’d been told. He’d firmly stated that the only people who had any real hand in her mother’s death were the Aeons and the keeper who personally carried out the “exile”.
But that’s the thing about someone sacrificing their life to save yours, she’d once said to him. They meant it as a gift, but it will always feel like a heavy, painful weight.
Noah swallowed. “Our mother suffered there, too.”
Rima let out a heavy exhale, her gaze dulling. “Yes. She wasn’t happy. She spent most of her years pining for Abel.”
“She spent the rest of them hating him for forbidding other men to touch her,” Noah chipped in. “She despised Adam with a blinding passion.”
Rima’s gaze went unfocused, as if she were lost in her memories. “Unable to move on and find happiness, she grew bitter and angry until there was no softness left in her. Both men killed it.”
Noah nodded. “I think she would be glad that Abel’s dead. I think she would support the Ancients in seeing Adam dead. And I don’t think she would care if Aeon fell. I think it might even bring her some peace.”
Rima’s shoulders lowered as all hostility seemed to seep from her body. “Yeah. Yeah, maybe.”
*
“Well,” began Wynter later that evening as they entered Cain’s chambers, “that was sure the height of casual dinner conversation.” She wasn’t gonna lie, she was glad the meal was over. “Something good came of it, though. Your plan to settle ruffled feathers worked with Eve and Noah.”
Cain flicked a hand to light the many candles. “I wasn’t expecting them to volunteer to help us.”
“Yeah, I was surprised too. Well, I guess you now know it’s extremely improbable that Eve and Noah are here to do Adam’s bidding. Sadly, we can’t be too sure about Rima yet, though I’m not certain her reluctance to help stems from anything other than the grudge she’s holding.”
“I’m rapidly losing my patience with her.”
Wynter gently laid her shawl over the armchair. “I noticed. She’s full of resentment and helplessness.”
“Helplessness?” Cain echoed.
Wynter nodded. “I get it. She had to watch her mother suffer for years in various ways. She couldn’t do anything to make it better. I felt that same sense of powerlessness when I watched my mother be exiled and taken away. Being unable to help someone you love leaves its mark on you.”
His gaze flitting over her face, Cain tipped his head to the side. “You’re thinking that I should be able to empathize, given I was unable to help Eve when I was a child.”
“Maybe not empathize as such.” It wasn’t something he seemed to be much good at. “But I figure you can at least intellectually understand.”
He sighed long and loud. “The chip on her shoulder that Seth spoke of will hold her back. She gives her emotions so much power over her that it weakens her.”
“Well, that chip didn’t hold her back from flinging bold question after bold question at you.” Recalling something, Wynter said, “You told Rima you had an uncle who gave his life to save yours. What happened? You don’t have to tell me if you’d rather not talk about it, I won’t be upset or anything.”
“I don’t mind talking about it. Though there isn’t really much to tell. As it happens, you’ve probably heard of my uncle. His name was Baal.”
“As in the Baal who humans believe to be a demon?”
“Yes. They have a habit of mistaking Leviathans for demons.” Cain opened the top two buttons of his shirt. “Anyway, Baal was my father’s youngest brother but much older than me. He was exceptionally powerful. Brutal in battle. Utterly fearless. Loyal to family. And when an Aeon blasted me with power, Baal leaped in front of me and took the hit.”
“Then, as much as I’m sorry he died and you lost an uncle, I’m grateful to him.”
“Seth said the same thing. Abaddon took his loss the hardest. He was close to Baal. Very close. It will be yet another death that haunts Abaddon when we wake him. But it must be done.”
“Is the plan to still go ahead with it tomorrow night?”
“Yes, though there’s no saying it won’t take more than one attempt to bring him out of his Rest.”
Sensing that he was eager to change the subject, she asked, “Want to do some raw and dirty stuff?”
Cain’s lips bowed up. “Always, pretty witch. Always.” He slowly swept his gaze around the room. “I like that you brought more of your things here.”
She’d sensed that. When he’d earlier noticed the plant she’d propped on a nightstand and the books and bookends she’d set on a shelf she’d claimed, pure satisfaction had rippled across his face.