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)
Her brow creased. “I don’t know if I’d say we were connected.”
“You once told me that you feel its emotions. You know when it wants something. You can sense if it’s sleeping. You feel it when the monster wakes. It’s an independent entity, but you both share something that is a similar yet preternaturally advanced version of a twin bond.”
Wynter inwardly cursed. She hadn’t looked at the situation that way before. She didn’t like the implications. “Back onto the subject of your creature . . . You read up a lot on the tying of life-forces, but you never brought it up. I’m guessing none of the books held the answers we’re looking for.”
“They didn’t, no,” he confirmed. “But I’ll keep searching.”
“You discovered something you don’t like,” she sensed. “Something that has stopped you from pushing me on this.”
Irritation flared in his eyes in that telling way that said he didn’t like how well she’d read him. “It’s not something I discovered, it’s something that Seth said. He pointed out that if I was to die while your life-force was tied to that of my monster, it could possibly drain you to the extent that you die and are too weak to come back.”
Huh. She hadn’t considered that. “Do you think he’s right?”
“I have no idea. My creature doesn’t think so, but it’s not a source I trust on this matter—it wants to bind with you so badly there’s a chance it won’t apply logic to the situation.”
Sighing, she slipped her arms around his waist and held tight; needing comfort, giving it. “I can promise you one thing: if my monster does try to pull me back to the netherworld, I won’t make it easy. I will have to be dragged there kicking and screaming and cursing. I will do everything I can to fight it.”
Cain’s arms contracted around her. “I will hold you to that promise.” He looked toward the door at the sound of knuckles rapping on it. “Come in,” he called out without first releasing her—not something she’d expected, since PDAs weren’t generally his thing.
Maxim breezed inside the room, his expression odd.
Cain exhaled heavily. “What now?”
“Sorry to disturb you, Sire, but the conduit is back.” Maxim hesitated. “He says that Adam wishes to speak to both you and Wynter.”
Cain stilled. “Is that so?” he drawled, so much menace in his voice it sent a shiver down her spine.
“The blue parlor is occupied, so I placed him in the parlor beside it,” said Maxim.
“I’ll be there shortly.”
Once the aide was gone, Wynter looked up at Cain and corrected, “We’ll be there shortly. No, don’t argue. I won’t be unsafe. Adam can’t hurt me in a psychic space.”
Cain’s jaw tightened. “He’ll try to convince you to give yourself up.”
“You don’t think that would actually work, do you? I’m not like those idiots you see in movies who give themselves up to the bad guy to save everyone else. I know for an absolute fact that handing myself over to Adam would achieve nothing. I know it wouldn’t keep you or anyone here safe. And I’m not noble enough to do that anyway.”
Cain’s expression gentled. “Yes, you are.” He stroked a hand over her hair. “But in this case, you wouldn’t do such a thing—I know that. It’s simply instinct for me to not want Adam anywhere near you.”
“Physically, he won’t be. And like I pointed out before, he can’t harm me in a psychic space. So let’s get this over with so we can go to bed and fuck each other’s brains out.”
His lips quirked. “I like how you think.” He took her hand in his. “Here’s where you find out how I get to the manor so quickly without using the elevator.”
She smiled. “About damn time.” The last thing she’d expected was that she’d have to walk through a mirror. As he followed behind her, stepping into a bedroom at the manor, she blew out a breath and said, “I had not seen that coming.”
Humor lit his eyes. “Good. You surprise me often. It’s only right that it’s a two-way street.”
“I’m not sure I agree with that.”
Downstairs, Cain led her straight to the parlor but didn’t enter. “Remember,” he began, “Adam has no idea that you’re my consort. Let’s keep it that way. I don’t want him more focused on you than he already is.”
She gave a short nod and tugged on her sleeve, ensuring that Cain’s seal was well-hidden.
Inside the room, Wynter greeted the conduit, vaguely recognizing him from her years at Aeon. He was an okay dude. A little spineless, though.
The moment she pressed her fingertips to his and entered the all-white psychic space, Wynter fixed her gaze on Adam. It was hard not to sneer. She loathed this motherfucker. Loathed him with a glorious passion.
He was responsible for so much, including her mother’s death in an indirect way. But what Wynter most hated him for was the torment he’d caused Cain over the years. She truly couldn’t wait to see this asshole breathe his last.