Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 140940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Once on top, the panorama before us was a breathtaking urban patchwork—Parisian rooftops snuggled against Moscow’s industrial skyline, and sprinkled amidst them were the towering skyscrapers of New York.
Fucking awesome.
I turned my view to the rooftop.
Beautiful.
An overflowing garden of vibrant flowers filled the space. Every shade imaginable was represented, from the velvety richness of deep purple dahlias to the brilliant hue of bright pink roses. The sprawling branches of luscious trees swayed gently in the breeze. Blooming vines climbed up trellises and cascaded down the sides of the building.
It was as if Mother Nature herself had painted this masterpiece for all to admire.
And where is Lunita?
I scanned the place as the scent of fresh earth and blooming flowers struck me first.
There she is.
With her back to us, Lunita lay among a bed of lilies, wearing a white sundress. Black roses decorated her head. Her pose mirrored Emily’s down in the basement—body tucked into a small ball, arms wrapped around her knees.
Despite the distance between us, I could hear the sound of her crying. It was a soft, mournful melody that danced on the wind, twining its way through the flowers and trees until it reached me.
My heart seized in my chest.
I took a step forward.
“She is dangerous.” Pavel extended a hand to stop me, but I gently shook him off.
This was something I had to do alone.
Meanwhile, the little girl skipped towards a patch of bright daisies. Once she got there, she carefully set the lion down and then lowered next to it, giving herself a perfect view to Lunita.
Here we go.
Slowly, cautiously, I threaded my way through the garden.
Fallen petals carpeted the path.
I checked over my shoulder.
Pavel remained by the edge of the roof, unwilling to get close to Lunita.
You are already dead. How can you still be scared of her?
I came to a halt a few feet from Lunita. Her form shook slightly as if each hitched breath caused tremors in her frame. My voice was barely above a whisper. “Lunita.”
It caught in the air, suspended for a moment before it disintegrated into the silence.
She didn’t give any indication that she heard me.
Getting closer, I kneeled down to the ground, stretched out a hand, and placed it on her shoulder. “Lunita.”
She let out a startled gasp and her body froze under my touch.
And the same thing that occurred in the basement, happened on the roof. Lunita’s warm brown skin vibrated into a glowing golden hue.
I parted my lips.
Her black hair went white, making the black roses woven into her locks stand out even more starkly.
Nervous, I pulled my hand back.
Why does that happen?
For a moment, time seemed to suspend itself.
And then Lunita slowly uncurled from her protective ball and turned to face me. Her eyes were red-rimmed from crying, and streaks of tears glistened on her cheeks.
But there was something else on her face too.
Absolute horror.
“No.” She shook her head over and over and crawled backward until over ten feet of space ran between us. “No. No. What did the witch do?”
Chapter forty-one
The Nasty, Nasty Lion
Kazimir
Lunita’s voice brimmed with fear and despair. “But. . .”
She snapped her view to the little girl. “Now. . .he is here?”
The little girl gave her a sad smile and nodded.
“But. . .” Lunita looked back at me. “Why would the witch do that?”
“It was not intentional.” I took a step forward.
“No. Stay there.” Lunita backed up. “Why did I glow?”
“I hoped you would know—”
“Wake up.” She pointed at me. “W-wake up. This can’t be good.”
I kept my voice steady. “I want to meet M before I go, and I also want to look around.”
“No.” Lunita edged back and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “What do you mean? You are not supposed to be here. Everyone knows that.”
“Yet, I am here. Perhaps, we should take advantage of—”
“You are a crazy person.” Then, she looked behind me and spotted Pavel. “No. The dead man with the long hair is here too.”
Pavel gave her an awkward wave. “I told him that we should leave.”
Lunita turned to the little girl. “Is this real?”
The little girl bobbed her head. “They showed up in the basement.”
Lunita returned to shaking her head. “Go back, mean ole lion. Go protect Max—”
“First, Maxwell will wake up—”
“He is dying—”
“He is healing—”
“You got him shot. . .” Her bottom lip quivered.
My heart ached. “I may have.”
“One for one.” Her bottom lip quivered. “If Max dies, Valentina dies.”
I sneered. “You touch my sister and I will be back on this roof, snapping your neck.”
She widened her eyes. “I-I can’t die here—”
“Did you know you could glow here?”
“N-no.”
“Then, perhaps you can die here.”
Lunita gasped.
A cruel smile spread across my face. “Be careful anytime you mention my sister.”
Pavel cleared his throat.
Lunita and I turned his way.
“Alright.” Pavel shrugged. “You have exchanged pleasantries with Lunita. Now, let us meet M and then leave.”