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)
She took a step back, her hand fluttering to her chest. The smoke cleared as the dust settled, and only Cerberus’s charred remains burned in the back of the cave. Adriel pulled herself closer to Juniper, the blanket dragging behind her. Regret flashed in her stare when she looked at Dane, and his addled brain slowly caught up.
No.
He looked back at Grace, who stared at the man.
“Who are you?” she finally asked, and Dane’s heart sank.
By the possessive way the creature watched her, he knew this was his enemy.
He was a maker of nightmares, a stealer of souls.
He was the reason she was called to this very place in time.
He came for one purpose only—to take her away from him.
The pain in Dane’s chest became unbearable. “No!”
She wasn’t meant to be here! She never left the farm, and yet, here she was. This had to be a horrific dream. He didn’t trust his blurred vision as his pounding head tried to process. There seemed a lethal wound tunneling through his heart, but he found no opening there.
“My name is Darius Størm. I am of the shadow-wolves, and I’ve come a long way to find you.”
“Me?” Gracie took another step back.
“Yes. You’re the female from my visions.”
She shook her head. “That’s impossible. I’m immortal.”
“That is an unexpected complication but not one that will change our circumstances. You are my mate.”
“The hell she is!” Dane dragged himself up, only to slip and lose his balance in the puddles of blood.
Gracie instinctively reached out an arm to help him but froze when the stranger growled. “I wouldn’t.”
She scowled and turned her glare on him. “I haven’t had a calling—”
“You keep your mind blocked. The gods guided me here.” He frowned at the burning body behind him. “Do you typically engage in dangerous crusades with lethal predators? Are you some sort of vigilante?”
Gracie nearly choked on a laugh. “I’ve never even left the farm…” Her words faded as her frown deepened. “I’ve had no symptoms.”
“I said stay back.” The shadow-wolf’s glare cut to Dane as he struggled to his feet, gripping his side and wavering from blood loss.
Fuck this guy. “Only true immortals can be called.”
The corner of his mouth curled in a half smile, a sharp canine fang flashing as he scoffed. “Who told you that?”
“It’s true,” Gracie argued. As someone who let faith mold her entire life, she would know.
The shadow-wolf frowned. “No, it’s not.” He looked at the others. “Someone has lied to you.”
“Bullshit.” Dane lurched forward and staggered back when a sharp dagger plunged into the cave floor, a mere inch from his boot.
“One more step, and you’re in the fire.”
Dane’s stare found Gracie’s. What the hell is going on? Grace? Gracie! But her mind remained locked to him.
Lazarus shifted with a grunt and pushed off the ground. His arms and legs were drenched with blood, making it impossible to see where his injuries began. The shadow-wolf growled, but Lazarus held up his palms. “I must check on my mate.”
They held their collective breaths as he lurched to the cave entrance. Lilias threw herself at him, coming out of nowhere and speaking frantically in their ancient language, already pushing her wrist at her mate, insisting he feed.
Lazarus stilled her hand and met the Bishop’s stare. “Thank you for protecting her and providing blood when I was unable to meet my duty and she was in need. I am forever in your debt.”
“There is no debt, friend.” Eleazar’s gaze returned to the shadow-wolf. “It is unusual to see your kind this far east.”
“I do not plan to stay long.”
Lazarus and Lilias stood back, hands locked and their longing stares protectively pinned on their daughter. He drew his mate’s arm closer and casually started to feed.
Did no one care that this stranger was planning to steal Gracie away?
“Eleazar, did you hear what he wants?” Dane snapped. “Is anyone going to say something?”
“We heard, Dane.” The Bishop looked at Grace, then at the shadow-wolf. “May I?”
The shadow-wolf considered Eleazar for a long moment, then nodded. The Bishop approached her slowly, never attempting to touch her or stand too close. “Grace, do you recognize him?”
Jaw trembling, she looked up at the Bishop with shimmering, trusting eyes, desperately seeking council. She shook her head.
“Have you opened your mind?”
“There’s nothing to search!” This was ridiculous. “He’s not like us,” Dane snapped.
The shadow-wolf scoffed. “Not like you, half-breed.” His attention returned to Grace. “I had a vision of you standing where you’re standing now. I come with only honor and integrity in my heart.”
Eleazar frowned. “Why are you here, Grace? You did not have permission to leave the farm.”
Fear filled her eyes, and her chin trembled. “I was worried. Dane said there would be great danger. I know it was reckless, but I felt compelled to follow you. It was only out of concern.”