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 watched as his uncle awkwardly stepped out of the well, his movements stiff and uncoordinated. While Ancients didn’t struggle to walk after years of Rest, they weren’t at their most graceful upon waking. “What is the last thing you remember?”
Abaddon’s eyes lost focus. “I . . . It is difficult to get my thoughts in order.”
That was another annoying thing about first rising. Until the brain caught up with reality, it wasn’t always easy to tell what were memories and what were images from the dreams you’d had while Resting.
“I recall the guardians dumping us on barren land after—” He cut himself off, his teeth snapping together as an unholy rage flamed to life in his eyes. The air began to buzz and tauten with a power that hummed with sheer fury.
Cain’s creature tensed, a hiss rattling in its throat at the potential danger to their consort. “If you lose your control here, you will bring this temple down upon us.”
“My children,” Abaddon croaked out, his voice thick with grief. “My brothers.”
“I know.”
The Ancient’s eyelids slammed shut as he breathed deep, his face lined with pain. Long minutes went by as Abaddon took one centering breath after another. Finally, he opened his eyes. The rage was still there, but it was now cold and controlled rather than hot and wild. That he could regulate his emotions so well was a very good thing.
“Revenge will be yours,” Cain told him, remaining calm. “Will be ours. First, you need to get stronger. You’ve been in a coma-like Rest for much longer than you can imagine.” The truth of how much the Ancient had missed would likely come as something of a shock to him.
Abaddon’s face tightened. “Revenge has not already been wreaked?” His voice was jagged with a growl. “The ones who massacred our people and left us to die still live?”
“Some. But perhaps not for much longer. We plan to invade Aeon soon. Very soon.”
The anger in the air began to recede, but Abaddon’s gaze still gleamed with it. “We are not back there, then?”
“No. We were all cursed to be trapped where the guardians dumped us. The story of how we reached this very moment is a long one. I will soon explain it all to you, just as I will explain why the other Ancients and I recently worked so hard to wake you.”
“I vaguely remember hearing voices chant while I Rested. It occurred several times. The words were indecipherable to me. I heard them, recognized the rhythm of them, but they didn’t reach inside me as they should have.” He tilted his head. “It was you who woke me just now? It did not feel like you.”
Cain felt his brows dip. “Feel like me?”
“Something disturbed my rest. Pulled at me. Something . . . alien. It was powerful. Too powerful. Unnerving, even.”
His skin prickling with unease, Cain resisted the urge to turn and look at his consort. She was powerful, yes, but not to an extent that would daunt an Ancient. Cain could only think that it was Kali who his uncle had sensed.
“My creature didn’t like it at all. It fought to surface and protect me. It was then that I woke.” Abaddon took a step closer, eyeing Wynter again, still no recognition on his face. “I doubt it was you either.”
Cain frowned. “You really don’t recognize her? You should, considering you’ve called Wynter—who, I will add, is my consort—here to the temple several times.”
His head drew back slightly. “Called her?”
“Yes, in her dreams. It caused her to sleepwalk, though she never got this far until tonight.”
Abaddon’s frown deepened. “I do not remember ever reaching out to her or anyone else while I Rested, but my thoughts and memories are still jumbled.” His eyes sharpened. “You said a moment ago that we will invade Aeon very soon. Exactly how soon?”
“As I promised before, I will explain everything to you. For now, let us get you settled in my home. You may wish to freshen up and change. Then I will tell you all you wish to know.”
*
Sipping his coffee, Cain looked up as Maxim escorted Abaddon into the dining room a short time later. To say that his uncle’s presence had shocked the aide was an understatement, but Maxim had recovered quickly and summoned the household staff to ensure that Abaddon had a clean bedchamber and fresh clothing. The hirelings were sworn to secrecy, so Cain didn’t worry that news of Abaddon’s mysterious appearance would leak.
As the Ancient appeared to be stable, Wynter hadn’t protested to Cain spending time alone with him. She understood that Abaddon wouldn’t want an audience to his emotions—he’d for sure experience a whole array of them while he was brought up to speed on everything—so she’d headed to the cottage. Cain hoped she managed to catch up on her sleep.