Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 111898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 559(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 559(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
Not a pen, but an ordinary red marker? Why had she brought this? “Thank you.”
A nod of acknowledgement. “I’m pleased to tell you the male who abducted you is being held in the dungeon, where he will stay.”
“Thank you,” she repeated, and she meant it. Steps one and two of her plan achieved! She’d entered the impenetrable fortress without suspicion and neutralized Rathbone without endangering his life. Not much, anyway.
Now for step three. Finding the infamous Hall of Secrets without triggering an alarm. Someone somewhere in all the worlds had mentioned the location of the fabled elixir she sought, and she intended to listen to the conversation ASAP.
Rathbone was probably gonna be a wee bit miffed by the time she got around to step four—his rescue—but he would get over it as soon as she explained step five. Retrieving a bone. Which she would do, buying time to then fetch the elixir.
“—is he, and how did he enter Nova?” Kanta was asking as she refocused on his face.
Neeka guessed his first question. “He is Rathbone the Only, King of Agonies, and he possesses a key stolen from Azar the Memory Keeper.” Because she’d been sure to stuff said ring into Rathbone’s pocket soon after their arrival. “They’re at war. Both males want me so bad, they keep thieving me away from each other. It’s maddening, I tell you. Maddening!”
Finally, a reaction. Kanta stiffened, scales momentary growing over his skin. A sign of pure rage. “No harm will come to you here. We will guard you with our lives, I swear it.”
So he wasn’t going to protest? Nor tell her how his internal lie detector assured him there was no way two such amazing warriors were fighting over her? Well. She shimmied her shoulders and raised her chin. “I accept your protection as my due.”
The door opened and Rowan reentered, carrying a tray filled with covered dishes. The shifter set the food upon the desk.
“—make yourself at home here,” Kanta was saying. Dang it, Neeka needed to do better about focusing. “You have earned the food simply by being our honored guest. If there’s anything you require, Rowan is yours to command.”
He understood her dietary restrictions. Nice. “After I eat, I’d love a tour,” she announced, stuffing the marker in her pocket.
“Then a tour you shall have. See to it, Rowan.” He offered a stiff nod, spun on his heel, and marched from the room.
Step three achieved!
Triumphant, Neeka kicked her legs over the side of the bed and stood. How about a quick nosh before diving into step four? Something told her she needed to store up energy while she had the chance.
Rubbing her hands together, she padded to the desk. Excitement swiftly downgraded to disappointment as she lifted the lids. Her shoulder rolled in. Corn dogs. Fried marshmallows. Fried cheese. Bologna salad sprinkled with candied crackers.
There was no way she could choke down any of this. Her stomach prechurned with sickness. “This is...definitely food.”
Rowan wrung her fingers. “We have few harpies here, but I encountered many of your kind before my move to Nova. I remembered your preferences well, yes?”
“Oh, yes,” Neeka said, trying to filter the disgust from her tone. Her kind loved this stuff. Why couldn’t she? “But you know what? I should probably let the meal rest before I dive in.” That was a thing, right? “Kanta promised me that tour, and I’m eager to begin. How about it?”
“Of course.” The shifter smiled, eyes of molten gold and ice blue crackling with excitement. “Prepare to be amazed! The Astra have filled this home with the most amazing treasures from across the galaxies.”
“It pays to steal from the planets you conquer, I guess.” Had Roc not fallen in love with Taliyah, harpy treasures would fill these halls, too. Not that Neeka was resentful or anything. Fair was fair, and the Astra had defeated the harpies in battle. Though their win wasn’t assured against Neeka herself.
She linked her arm with her tour guide’s. “Show me.”
Rowan led her into a wide hallway, pointing out this and that. Neeka retreated inside her mind, probing for a specific knowing.
Ah, there you are. As subtly as possible, she herded the other woman in the proper direction. Finally, they stood before a closed red door.
“Oh, no! How did we get here?” A tremor shook the shifter. “We must leave. Only the Astra are permitted in this area.”
Neeka looked left, right, up, down, and behind. No one else stood nearby. Not even a single guard. It was like her enemy wanted her to do this. “Sorry, hon, but I’m going in.” Find the elixir, save the worlds. “You’re not.”
Knowing it had to be done, she struck, driving her claws into the gentle woman’s chest, and ripping out her still beating heart. The shifter toppled, out for the count.