Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 147891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
I glance at Caz, my chest growing tighter by the second. “Would that be possible? For Decius to still have energy around?”
“Honestly, anything is possible these days. But even so, what do you want us to do about it?” Caz asks, frowning at Danica. “There is no Mythic strong enough to penetrate a hold like that. Even the Regals said they can’t fully kill him, they can only weaken him. And the only Regal who can remains in a slumber.”
“Please,” Danica pleads. “T-there has to be something.” She steps closer, gesturing to me. “Willow, he’s your brother, and you know I’m telling the truth. These thoughts are dangerous, and they’re not like him. I’ve heard him three times this morning thinking about killing himself.”
So that’s what that was at the table—why he was frowning, and she put the knife out of his reach. The idea of Warren using that knife to hurt himself sends my mind spiraling. I find it hard to swallow, to digest. The Warren I know would never do such a thing.
“You’re right. It’s not like him,” I agree.
“Is there anyone we can talk to who can restore Warren’s mind? Get Decius completely out of him?” she requests.
Caz lowers his head with an irritated sigh. “Look, Danica, I already know what you’re hinting at, but it’s not possible and frankly, I don’t want to do it..”
“Why not?” she counters rapidly.
“Because for one, I don’t trust the Regals. And two, they are not easy to find. We have no clue where Korah is, and as for Hassha, I highly doubt she’ll allow us on her island twice.”
“You mean in Kessel?” Danica asks. “No, she wouldn’t. My mother told me stories about her journeys to Kessel. The warriors would kill you before you even make it to shore. But I have their blood. Perhaps she’ll allow us.”
Caz says nothing, only stares at her.
I grab his hand. “There has to be a way we can get in touch with them, Caz.”
“There must,” Danica insists. “I know I come from nothing, but if you help me, I’ll owe you tenfold. I will forever be in your debt. I—I work hard and fight harder, and I can hold my own in any situation I’m put in.” Danica raises her head, though her mouth is quivering. “Please.”
Her tears fall, slowly skating down her cheeks.
Caz sighs. “Love of Vakeeli, I don’t do well with tears.”
“Caz. We have to do something,” I murmur.
“I know. I know.” Another sigh escapes him, and he tucks his gun into his holster, eyeing Danica. “Fine. I’ll do my best to send a message to Hassha, but I can’t promise it’ll get to her.”
Danica swipes at her face, nodding eagerly. “Yes—okay, yes. I understand. Anything is better than nothing at all.”
“I’ll express that it’s urgent, and if that doesn’t work, I’ll ask around, see if any Mythics can assist us with Warren or ward off those dark thoughts, even if it’s temporarily.”
“Okay. That could work.” Danica closes the gap to offer a hand to Caz. “Thank you. I promise you, I’m forever in your debt. Anything you need me to do, it shall be done.”
Caz glances at her hand before locking on her eyes. To my surprise, he takes it, his jaw clenching. The pain spreads all over him, and I feel a hint of that sensation in me, but he shakes while nodding at her.
With that, Danica turns away and jogs across the terrain and through the thicket.
“I can’t help feeling like that was a mutual understanding just now,” I tell him.
Caz is quiet for a while. “Perhaps it was.” He glances at me. “Do you get odd sensations when they’re around? Like little shocks?”
“I do. You feel that too? I couldn’t figure it out before.”
“I think it’s in our blood,” he murmurs. “The Cold Tether has an effect on all of us. It’s a bond that unites us, whether we know each other or not. What I gather from her is similar to how I felt when I met you. I knew you weren’t a threat and that she wasn’t one either.”
I wrap an arm around him, and he closes me in his. “Are you saying you believe her? That you trust her?” I ask.
“I never said all that.”
“Caspian Harlow? Trusting a stranger? That would be very new.”
“Pipe down, Willow Woman.”
I laugh into his chest, but the laughter is short lived as someone shouts his name.
“Caz!” Rowan calls, bursting through the thicket. Caz pulls away, looking in his direction. “Finally got contact from The Council!” he pants. “Better come now. They say it’s urgent.”
Caz’s eyes fall to mine, a sense of dread sinking into us both. Regardless, he wastes no time taking my hand and leading the way out of Monarch Terrain and to the castle.
Chapter 91
CAZ
“I don’t like this.” Killian’s voice echoes in the darkness, and I feel the heat of his body as he stands nearby. I told him to hurry back to Blackwater Manor as soon as we got word from The Council.