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)
Cain stormed out of the parlor with Wynter hot on his heels. They rushed down the long hallway and out of the manor’s front door.
“. . . understand it is not easy to betray one of your own people,” said Adam, his face a flashing image in the storm cloud high above the town. “I understand why you would all hesitate to accept my offer. But Wynter Dellavale is not worth your sacrifice. She is, however, worth two million dollars as of now. That is right. I am upping the bounty. Cash in on it if you dare.” With that, he was gone.
Wynter gaped. “That son of a bitch. I’ll kill him. I will motherfucking kill him.”
No, she wouldn’t. Cain’s monster would get there first.
Chapter Twenty
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Chewing the last of her bagel a few days later, Wynter shrugged at Cain. “I’m just surprised by your request, I guess.” Well, it had been more of a declaration of intent, but still. “Very surprised, in all honesty.”
He set his mug down on the bedchamber’s table. “Why?”
“You got to know my coven a little but, for the most part, you’ve stayed separate from the witch-side of my life.”
“Not out of disinterest. It’s like how you haven’t asked to be part of my day-to-day business. It’s not a slight, is it? You simply have other responsibilities. A coven to lead. A shop to run. A position you can never neglect. You wouldn’t wish to push any of that aside to attend meetings with me, deal with complaints from or issues among those in my service, interview potential new residents, or go through my heaps of paperwork.”
She definitely wouldn’t. Not merely because it sounded boring as fuck and she was a busy girl, or even because to not keep a close eye on her coven could possibly be disastrous. But because it would be pointless—it was all quite simply Ancient business. She was no Ancient.
“Just the same, I can’t neglect my own duties,” he continued. “But I will when it counts. And I know the Samhain Feast is important to you, so I’d like to attend it with you and your coven.”
Touched that he not only acknowledged its importance to her but wanted to share in that with her, Wynter said, “I’ll be happy to have you there.”
Warmth filled his eyes. “Good.”
The Samhain ball, which would begin tomorrow on All Hallows’ Eve in the city’s hall, was exclusively for magick users and their partners. A separate gala would occur in the town up above for the rest of the residents. Both events would mark the end of the Halloween celebrations. Sadly.
“The ball won’t be over until after sunset November first,” she told him. “What time will you have to leave?”
“The other Ancients and I decided we’d try at midnight.”
Wise choice, since both magick and power were more potent then.
“I’d like you to be there when we attempt to fracture the cage.”
Her brows lifted. “You would?”
“Yes. I know it’s not fair to ask that you leave the ball early, but I believe that your assistance could make a difference. Your magick is dark. It causes things to burn and rot and decay. If we add it to the power of the Ancients and the Aeons, it could truly help damage the cage.”
“Then of course I’ll be there.” Maybe it would make a difference just as he thought, maybe it wouldn’t, but she’d give it her best shot. She glanced at the clock on the shelf and then gulped down the last of her coffee. “Time for me to get dressed.”
Standing, he helped her place their dishware and napkins back on the tray, which he then set on top of the dresser. “I haven’t finished my breakfast yet,” he said.
Wynter felt her brow wrinkle. “Huh?”
He fisted her shirt and yanked her close, his gaze darkening with need and intent. Then his mouth was on hers. He didn’t roughly devour her as she’d expected. He sipped, licked, nibbled, savored. Like she was a dessert he wanted to take his time enjoying. They didn’t have time.
Still, she felt herself melting, lured into that warm, sensuous, exquisitely languid place where nothing but pleasure existed . . . only realizing he’d lifted her when she felt her bare ass meet the wooden table. “Dammit, Cain, you’ll make me late.”
“Not this morning, little witch. This is going to be fast. I just need to get you nice and wet first.” He gripped the hand he’d marked and pressed his thumb into the center of the brand.
She jolted with a gasp, feeling like the digit was now buried in her body. He kissed her hard and deep as he played with her pussy using her mark. His mouth wasn’t soft and tentative this time. It was hungry. Urgent. Demanding.