Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
For a long moment, Adeth’s angry gaze holds mine captive, then she says, “You’re strong to keep me out of your mind, dear Alchera.” She shakes her head. “Poor Raighne. He must be out of his mind with fear for your safety.” She slithers closer like the damn snake she is. “Let me into your mind, and I’ll set you free so you can run home to comfort your guardian. How can you let the man you love suffer so much?”
Shit. How does she know about my feelings for Raighne?
I keep quiet, just staring at her.
“Tell me what you remember of your visions, or I’ll let Ares take you apart, piece by little piece, before sending your lifeless body back to Raighne.”
No. What will something like that do to him?
“Why do you want to know about the chosen ones?” I ask, trying to buy some time.
“You want to save these humans of yours. As if they deserve it,” she spits the words out with disgust. “They don’t deserve anything! It is time for the human race to come to their end and I intend to see to it personally.”
I shake my head. “You’re not answering my question.”
“You lived among them. Surely you’ve seen how depraved and selfish they are? Why do you still want to save them?” She sucks in a breath, her eyes burning on me. “Tell me about your visions!”
“I can’t remember the details,” I snap. “They start out as nightmares. Only after returning to Vaalbara was I told they were actual visions, and by then, I’d forgotten them.”
I give her as little information as possible, hoping it’s enough to convince her I’m being sincere.
“Do not patronize me, Alchera!”
Okay, so much for convincing her of anything.
“I didn’t mean to patronize you. I’m sorry,” I say quickly, hoping to calm her down.
Of course, it doesn’t work, and the air starts to crackle with some sort of electric current.
Adeth’s face begins to change. It’s subtle at first, then thorn-like bumps form on her forehead.
Shit.
I can only stare in horror as small spikes form on her ears and black veins appear along her lips, spreading out over the rest of her face.
Bile rises in my throat as I realize I have a front-row seat to the unveiling of the monster that wants to end all of humanity, and the odds are good I’m going to die now.
Oh God. This is the part I’ve seen in a vision, and I know what’s coming next.
I won’t be getting out of this hell alive, and just like in the vision, I slip up and think of Raighne.
Warmth immediately floods my chest, and I’m shocked that he’s able to restore our bond. Either that, or I didn’t manage to sever it like I thought.
But it’s so comforting to feel him, I let out a sob.
I lower my head so they can’t see my eyes because I don’t want them to know Raighne’s able to sense what’s happening.
“Ares,” the woman hisses, “make her understand!”
His hand closes around my throat, and I squeeze my eyes shut.
ShitShitShit.
An awful burning sensation starts at my feet, slowly making its way up my legs.
When it feels as if my flesh is being burned from my body, I can’t keep the screams from tearing loose.
I writhe in agony as the burn increases, clawing its way up my body.
By the time it reaches my thighs, I’m on fire, burning from the inside out.
“Stop!” I scream, my voice hoarse. “Please.”
I’m weeping from the unbearable pain, but there are no tears left to cool my face.
Ares just stares at me, his eyes dead and merciless, as always.
Raighne’s warmth stirs in me, and it feels as if he’s trying to pass some of his strength into my body.
I want to push him away because I don’t want him feeling any of this pain.
Unable to stop Raighne, he flows through my mind, and as he floods my entire being, his soothing warmth battles the fire, easing some of the blistering pain.
“Raighne,” I groan internally. “I don’t want you here. Leave.”
“Never.” His voice is crystal clear in my mind and filled with so much confidence it makes hope trickle into my chest. “I’ll find you. Don’t give up.”
My whole body slumps, and totally exhausted, I just soak in Raighne’s comforting presence.
Then Ares’ voice enters my mind, sounding threatening as hell, “Tell her, or I will be forced to kill you slowly and hand your soul to her.”
I shake my head as more sobs spill over my lips.
Adeth steps closer to me, finding delight in my pain and despair. “Ares, you may stop for now. Let’s see whether our little bird is ready to sing.”
The excruciating pain eases the instant he removes his hand.
“Tell me who the chosen ones are,” she demands once again.
I keep quiet because there’s no use trying to talk to her.