Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 140462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 702(@200wpm)___ 562(@250wpm)___ 468(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 702(@200wpm)___ 562(@250wpm)___ 468(@300wpm)
I shrug and open the door, shaking Wolf’s hand as I step out. “I take it you already heard—”
“Did you abduct him?” my brother asks, leaning close as he whispers, and I feel my cheeks burn. “When did I ever do that kind of thing?”
Wolf rubs his face, blinking his eyes awake. “What am I supposed to think? You’re on the run from prison, and you show up here with some snowflake-looking kid.” His voice is lowered, but I still worry Sylvan might hear him as he gets out of the car from the other side.
“We just have… similar goals,” I mutter as a familiar silhouette appears on the porch alongside numerous other Colemans watching us from their homes.
This is exactly what I always tried to flee from.
“Is it him?” My father asks.
Wolf shrugs. “Sure is. And he has company.”
I pull Sylvan close as soon as he’s within reach and wave, acknowledging everyone. “Don’t you worry, I won’t stay long… but I do need to swap this car for another.” They’ll know what I mean.
Sylvan pulls on my shoulder so I lean down, and only then he whispers into my ear. “Do not tell them about my origins. They will not understand.”
This is actually for the better, because I’d have a hell lot more trouble explaining that my new boyfriend is an elven prince.
All the Coleman men are tall, but my father? He’s like a bear. About my height, but much broader around the middle, and with a much hairier face than mine. When he approaches, Sylvan steps back, and it makes me feel so protective of him I’m struggling against the need to pull him into my arms for a cuddle. Where he’s a toothpick, my dad is an oak tree.
“You better tell us everything and quick,” Father says with deep grooves appearing on his forehead. There are only a few lights around, but I still spot some new silver in his hair.
Before I can speak, Wolf decides to fill him in. “The kid’s also on the run.”
I don’t even get to clear up the misunderstanding when my other brother, Fox, butts in. “What? You brought your prison boy toy?”
“There’s nothing to see. Go to sleep!” Father hisses and looks around the cabins making up the compound. My brothers’ wives are visible in the windows of their respective homes. Leah’s even holding a child young enough for me to not have met.
This command makes me relax, and I rub Sylvan’s shoulder as the other members of my family retreat into their homes, surely back to forgetting about my existence.
“We just need a different car,” I repeat. “We’ll be on our way soon.”
Father crosses his thick arms on his chest, and as he studies me, I’m struck by the realization that at this point it’s like staring into a mirror revealing what I’m going to look like in twenty years.
I’m happy to conclude it won’t be too bad.
“The police were already here, looking for you,” Fox adds, combing his shaggy auburn mane with his fingers.
“You’ll need to go before dawn,” Father mutters.
I nod, disgruntled by how this is going so far. I don’t want Sylvan to see me for the black sheep I am. “Wolf, do you have the steel cutters?” I put my thumb under Sylvan’s collar to show him what needs done.
Fox wraps his arms on his chest and whistles, showing off the big gap between his front teeth. “The plot fuckin’ thickens.”
I sense Sylvan swallow against my finger. “I don’t think it will be possible to cut with regular tools.”
He’s got no idea that he just said the magic words to trigger Wolf’s ambition and can-do attitude. “Doesn’t look that thick to me, I’ll handle it.”
“Since when are they collaring inmates?” Fox asks, and I clear my throat.
“I actually… just met him yesterday. He wanted to go with me.”
Father rolls his eyes, slouches, and spins on his heel, heading for the house. “And now you brought him here! Did you lose what little was left of your brains?”
I swallow when Wolf smirks at me, then pull Sylvan along, not trusting myself to meet his eyes. We came here for a new piece of junk. Is that really so much to ask?
“I didn’t kill the guards—” I say on the way toward the porch.
“Shame,” Father cuts in and walks right into the living room I spent so many evenings in.
“Hawk!” my mother yells and pulls me into a big hug. At least someone’s happy to see me, even though she never visited me in prison either. She’s still in her pajamas and robe, long silver hair scattered over her shoulders. “I’ll make you two some food. Who is this?”
Sylvan makes a little bow with his head and gives a stiff smile. “My name is Sylvan.”
I hate the look my mother exchanges with Dad, but I ignore them and lead Sylvan to the sofa. “Those are my parents. And he is my partner,” I say, because while I’ve known him for about twenty-four hours now, I have no intention of parting from him in the near future. After all, I promised him my shadow, and all that weird shebang.