Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 125083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Wynter’s insides seized. “A betrayal?”
“I am sure it is easy to believe that you matter to Cain. He is good at making a woman believe that—it is something I know from experience. He is a master manipulator, which I can admit I admire. The people around him who are of use to him … they are simply pieces on his chessboard. He moves them to wherever he wants them. Each move he himself makes is practiced. Cunning. Calculated.
“And you … you he wishes to keep close, because you may gain him what he wants. As such, that is where he placed you on his board. If the Aeons offer him what he seeks in exchange for you, he will make that trade.”
Wynter barely stopped her eyes from narrowing. Was Cain good at manipulation? She believed so. Would he use people however he pleased? Undoubtedly, since he didn’t see many as relevant. But would he trade Wynter for something he wanted? That she didn’t know. What she did know was that she couldn’t trust this woman’s intentions for even a second.
From her peripheral vision, Wynter sensed Delilah silently descend the stairs but didn’t look her way. “Why are you telling me this?” she asked Ishtar.
“As I said, I know from experience how good he is at making a woman believe she means something to him. I bought it. I wish someone had warned me to keep my guard up. Then I would have been ready for that moment when he kicked me completely off his chessboard. That is the thing with Cain. He constantly replaces his pawns, because he tires of them so quickly.” She paused at a bang upstairs.
Wynter inwardly sighed. Anabel and her fucking experiments. Wynter just hoped the woman hadn’t set herself on fire again.
“Each new game comes with new pawns,” Ishtar went on. “Right now, he is playing a game with the Aeons. Like it or not, you are a key piece on his board right now. But once you have served your purpose, he will kick you off it too.”
Quite possibly. Wynter wasn’t under the impression that she was important to Cain. He was possessive of her and seemed intent on keeping her around, but it didn’t automatically follow that he felt any deeper emotions for her. She’d never allowed herself to think differently.
Still, she wasn’t convinced he’d so callously set her aside. Or maybe she simply didn’t want to consider it. “You really believe he’ll hand me over to the Aeons if they make him the right offer?”
Ishtar gave her a sympathetic smile. “Darling girl, he has tunnel vision where this particular matter is concerned. They betrayed us all, but they have also deprived Cain of something his entire life. Someone, I should say. For a millennia, his whole focus has been on retrieving what should never have been taken from him. He has known you, what, a few weeks? Do you think he would truly turn down the opportunity to obtain what he’s sought for so long just to ensure your safety? Especially when you are mortal and will die soon enough in any case?”
“What do you suggest I do?”
“There is nothing you really can do. Cain will not give you space. He will not move you to another square on his chessboard until he is ready. And there is no way to ensure he doesn’t trade you if the opportunity arises. You would have no way to fight him.
“None of the other Ancients—not even myself—would wish to stand against him to help you. We want him to have what he seeks. Seth, though … Seth may help you. He has a good heart, unlike the rest of us. He would empathize with your situation. He is also the one person who Cain would not harm, so if Seth gave you sanctuary at his Keep, you would be free of Cain’s clutches.”
So, what, she wanted Wynter to pit one brother off against the other? Was that it? Or was it just a simple case that Ishtar wanted her away from Cain and figured that Seth was the one person who could keep them apart without there being any bloodshed?
Ugh, Wynter didn’t have the patience for this. Deciding the best way to get the Ancient to leave would be to let her think this ‘play’ she was making had worked, Wynter said, “I suppose it’s worth a shot.”
Triumph very briefly flashed in Ishtar’s eyes. Again, she gave Wynter a gentle smile. “All you can do is try. And you should. This is your life at stake. I know Cain is contracted to not give you up to anyone who may come for you, but there are loopholes. All he would have to do is return the rights to your soul, and he would no longer be obliged to do anything to protect you. Until then, he will indeed keep you safe. But only because you are of use to him.”