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)
Catching up to him, Neeka wrapped him in the circle of her arms. His shifting ceased, thank goodness, and he remained in his original packaging. The spear was long gone, but his sockets were nothing but raw, hollow wounds.
Though her deflating lungs burned, she pinched Rathbone’s nose and placed her lips over his, then blew what air she had left into his mouth. His chest rose, but he gave no other indication of life.
As she readied herself to Peer, trepidation tightened her throat, a boa constrictor she couldn’t shake. Danger! Dreading what she’d find, she cast her gaze across the water. Blast it all! Azar was swimming toward her, a weapon clasped in each hand. His wicked grin heralded more trouble. Clearly, he expected to win this round.
What secrets had her mother imparted to him?
Neeka estimated she had less than a minute to facilitate a flash. As fast as possible, she closed her physical eyes, opened her inner one, and mystically reached for Rathbone. Unlike last time, he didn’t resist. A mental door fell ajar upon her approach, making her entrance shockingly seamless. Click.
Suddenly, she heard the glug of water but saw nothing. Not their surroundings, and certainly not the Astra. Panic attempted to rise, but she rallied the strength to keep her attention on her goal: flashing. Could she do it using Rathbone’s ability?
She pictured her destination of choice, hoping the warrior observed it too, whether he realized it or not. Then she mentally shouted, “Teleport! Now!”
Yes! The water vanished just as a sharp pain registered in her arm and chest. She and Rathbone landed on a hard floor with a harder thunk, impact abruptly severing their connection.
She blinked rapidly and sucked in oxygen. Air filled her lungs first. Light infiltrated her vision after.
A tide of relief crashed over her as she examined her surroundings. They’d made it to her secret hideaway in Harpina. A subrealm tucked inside another subrealm that was tucked inside her home world and forbidden to all Astra. Entering would be a declaration of war against their mentor, Chaos.
Knew I’d need this place one day. A few months ago, she’d completed a job for the enigmatic Chaos, father of Erebus as well as the powerful god who’d trained the Astra. As payment, she’d demanded this tiny biosphere with a private plunge bath and a pool house. She only wished she’d remembered it sooner.
A vibration drew her attention to Rathbone, who hadn’t budged. He lay motionless, as if dead. She croaked a denial.
“You’re going to be okay,” she vowed.
He didn’t switch forms again, but he hadn’t started healing. His eyes remained bloody sockets. His right bicep was in tatters. A gaping wound in his chest displayed his ribs.
Was the damage courtesy of Azar’s daggers?
Neeka lumbered to shaky legs and tripped to the kitchen. She was weak but not drained, the effects of the Peer manageable. After retrieving a bowl, she removed and wrung her shirt. The water trapped between the fibers splashed into the container. Far more than nineteen drops. Excellent. That done, she rushed about, gathering supplies. Anything she thought she might need. Towels and rags. Salves. A bowl of fresh water. Scissors. Um, why did she have vials of Astra blood stored in the bathroom cabinet? Whatever. She placed everything near Rathbone and—
The lights turned on and off.
Gasping, she flipped up her gaze, finding Taliyah a few feet away, dressed for war in a typical harpy uniform: a metal breastplate with breast cups, a pleated leather miniskirt, arm and shin guards, and scuffed combat boots.
“About time you showed up,” her friend said.
Neeka leaped to her feet once more, taking a protective post in front of the injured king. “How did you find me?”
“What? Like it’s hard?” The General anchored her fists on her hips. “Now that he’s out of commission, will you tell me what’s really going on?”
Wait. “You trust me?”
“You seriously gotta ask? You are the marshmallow romantic who married a psychopath so my sister could stay with her consort. Of course I trust you.”
But... “The last time we were together, you acted as if you hated me for my betrayal.”
“Uh. Yeah. Why wouldn’t I? I knew something major was happening and that you had a reason for pretending to be a traitor, so I played along, doing my part. Hey!” Taliyah frowned. “Did you not trust me to trust you?”
Uh... Hiding a wince, Neeka returned to her post and crouched beside Rathbone. She caressed his chest, thrilling over each of his heart beats.
The lights flicked on and off again, the General’s impatience getting the better of her. Neeka finally replied, “Why would I ever not trust you?” To her immense relief, instinct proclaimed, Now is the time. Tell Taliyah. “When you hear what I’ve got to say, you might understand.”
The story flowed from her.