Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 125179 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 626(@200wpm)___ 501(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125179 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 626(@200wpm)___ 501(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
“What would be the point of putting a price on Cain’s head?” Ishtar went on, her cornflower-blue eyes cloudy with confusion. “Adam knows that even if someone did miraculously manage to subdue Cain, there is no way they would get him out of Devil’s Cradle—we are all trapped here.”
“Yes, we are,” said Azazel beside her. “But the majority of our residents don’t know that, do they? In their eyes, Cain could easily give himself up to keep them safe. And when he doesn’t, they may turn against him. I think that is what Adam hopes for. These people came to us for protection, after all. If they believe we’re neglecting their safety, they may choose to leave. And if our population lessens, we’ll have less manpower in the event of an attack.”
Sitting on Cain’s left, Dantalion gave a slow nod, an angry flush staining his bronze skin. Like Azazel, he was mistaken by humans for a demon. Perhaps it was due to the many dark tales about him, or maybe it was due to the danger and callousness that he so blatantly exuded. “It would seem that Adam has decided to play the long game. He means to ensure that we are vulnerable before he makes his move on us. And in the meantime, he intends to finally get a hold of Wynter.”
“That won’t happen,” Cain stated firmly, and his creature rumbled a sound of agreement.
“I doubt the residents would expect you to surrender her to Adam, given that we vow to never hand over those in our service to outsiders,” said Dantalion, scraping a hand over his shadow of blond stubble. “But . . . they might expect her to make that sacrifice to protect the town. And when she instead stays here, they may not be happy with her.”
“Then we’ll have to make it clear to everyone that the town wouldn’t actually be safer if any of Adam’s terms were met,” said Cain. “We can explain the situation. Or most of it. They’ll place more weight in our words than they ever will in that of an Aeon.”
Given that Ishtar would truly love nothing more than to have Wynter out of the picture, Cain expected his mouthy, jealousy-ridden, ex-lover to suggest that his consort give herself up. But Ishtar stayed suspiciously silent on the matter, absently playing with her blonde curls.
Maybe the hand her sister had placed on her arm was what kept her quiet. Or just maybe he’d finally gotten through to her that Wynter was here to stay, but that was probably wishful thinking on his part. It seemed more likely that Ishtar was merely biting her tongue for now. Perhaps because she sensed just how furious Cain was due to the threat now hovering over his woman.
“Even so, the price on Wynter’s head will be a problem,” said Azazel, folding his arms. “You need to be prepared for that, Cain. No one will try to cash in on the bounty that Adam put on you—they won’t go up against an Ancient. But a revenant that they’re not truly convinced is a revenant? Some might decide to accept Adam’s offer and take her to him. At the very least, they’ll be tempted.”
Directly opposite Cain, Lilith nodded, making strands of her long red hair tumble forward. “Her being your consort will make people hesitate. But there are some who will be both stupid and greedy enough to consider cashing in on the bounty.”
Under no illusions about the people who resided at Devil’s Cradle, Cain was quite aware of that. There were plenty of criminals and dark-natured characters here who’d done far worse things than snatch and hand over a witch to claim a reward.
Cain forced his back teeth to unlock. “If anyone tries it, they’ll die. She’s more powerful than any of them realize.”
“Yes,” began Lilith, “but if she’s killing people left, right, and center—even in her own defense—it might create resentment among the residents. Many belong to packs, covens, conclaves, and fey courts, etc. They wouldn’t take kindly to losing members of whatever their group might be.”
Wynter didn’t kill for shits and giggles. Her monster, though? Well, that was a whole other story. It ate people left, right, and center. Hence why his inner creature found the monster so intriguing and wanted to “meet” it. Which would be a bad idea since, according to Wynter, the thing that lived inside her wanted only to kill—something it would do indiscriminately.
“I want to make something very clear,” said Cain, sweeping his gaze over every person seated at the table. “If my consort is attacked by any of your people and forced to kill them in her own defense, there will be no repercussions for her.” Generally, it was ruled that no resident could kill another unless either it was a matter of self-defense or they had the permission of the Ancient who owned the person they wished to execute.