Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 137871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 689(@200wpm)___ 551(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 689(@200wpm)___ 551(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
“Yes.”
Eleazar looked at Dane. “Is she—”
“Cerberus found her.”
The Bishop’s expression shuttered. “I’m sorry to hear that. I had hoped…”
“I appreciate your sympathy, but we haven’t much time,” Lazarus said, getting right to business. “My daughter’s in danger, and we require all the help we can get. I’m told she has a son.”
“Christian will certainly assist you. But if you’re enlisting help, I’d like to also offer myself. I’ve faced Cerberus before. Three won’t be enough.”
“We also have my mate and a kitsune witch.”
Eleazar frowned. “You’re working with a witch?”
“We are.”
“Is that wise?”
“Juniper is under my protection. As is Dane.”
“I see.” The Bishop studied Dane, but when he tried to probe into his memories, Lazarus stepped in front of him.
“Like I said, they’re under my protection.”
“Fair enough. I’ll escort you to Christian’s house.”
Dane followed Lazarus and the Bishop only to get yanked back by Cain. “Who is that guy?”
Dane frowned. “You heard him. He’s Adriel’s father.”
Cain stared after the two elders. “He’s rogue.”
“That doesn’t make him bad.”
“I didn’t say it did.” Cain looked after them with a spark of awe in his eyes. “You don’t see many like that.”
“Not here. He says there are lots of free covens in Europe.” He smirked and plucked his suspenders. “No dress codes either.”
Cain scowled at him and then grinned. “You look like you’re doing all right on the outside.”
“I’m managing.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear it.” He glanced at the large clock in the corner. “I have to get going. I told Destiny I’d be right back and that was a while ago.”
“Tell her I said hi.”
“I will.” He was gone in a blink. So were any signs of the Bishop and Lazarus. Dane sighed and headed toward Christian’s house only to pause when a soft female voice called his name.
“Dane.” Her voice shot through him like a bolt of lightning.
Grace appeared leaving the private estate connected to Council Hall and words failed him. She must have been visiting her sister.
Her expression hardened and she scowled. “Are you back?”
“No.”
Her lips formed a fine line, and her jaw trembled. “Then why are you here?”
“We’re only passing through.”
“We?”
He debated how much to share, knowing Gracie often worried more than necessary about his safety. It was sweet, but also an emasculating reminder that she viewed him as weak. “I’m traveling with an immortal couple named Lazarus and Lilias Schrock.”
“Schrock? As in Christian and Adriel?”
“Her parents. We found them in Greece.”
“Greece? Is that where you’ve been living?”
“Well, no, not exactly. I was in New York for a while. Ithaca. But then we left.”
“We?”
He inwardly cursed. “I was staying with Adriel, but also Juniper—”
“The witch?”
“It’s not like that, Grace. We’re friends.”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t you befriend the one person who destroyed my family.”
“She’s sorry for that.”
“Does she plan to fix my father?”
“She can’t. Not yet, at least, but she’s getting stronger. Her magick’s improving. You should see what she can—”
“Spare me your gushing praise. That witch is dangerous and you shouldn’t trust her.”
“You don’t know her.”
“I know you.”
“What does that mean?”
She looked away, but not before he caught the sheen of tears in her eyes. Was she jealous?
“We’re only friends, Grace.”
“Don’t you have enough friends?” A tear slipped past her lashes.
“Hey.” He caught her hand. “Don’t cry.”
“I’ll survive.” She wiped her eyes and straightened her shoulders, but she wouldn’t meet his stare.
“Have you been…okay?”
She shrugged. “It’s been quiet here since you left.”
He tried to smile, but failed. “Bet you’re not getting as many headaches with me gone.”
She laughed, the sound watery and adorable. “Sometimes I miss them.”
“No you don’t.”
She finally met his stare, and a million secrets passed between them. “As much as a literal pain blocking you from my mind was, I got used to it. Without the headaches, I always feel like I’m forgetting something.”
She would eventually forget him. He released her hand and rubbed his chest. “Has there been any sighting of…”
“No.” Genuine remorse flashed in her crystal blue eyes. “No one has seen Isaiah or Cybil since the night you left.”
Dane thought about Lazarus. The immortal had so much knowledge about so many things. “The family I’m staying with is teaching me things they don’t teach you here. There’s a whole world of immortals out there, Grace. Covens that make their own rules. The females are treated as equals and have so much freedom.”
“I like my home. I feel protected here.”
“I’m just saying you have options if you ever want to leave.”
“I don’t.”
“Well…” Some things never changed. There was no point spiraling toward the same old arguments. “I should get going.”
“Why are you here, Dane?”
“Adriel’s in trouble. We’re picking up Christian.”
“Why?”
He didn’t want to worry her, but he also didn’t want to lie. “Our father abducted Adriel. He’s hurting her, and we have to save her.”
“You mean her mate.”
“He’s not her mate. He’s been lying to her. It’s a long story, but we need all the help we can get. The Bishop’s also joining us.”