Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 101147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
And she is smiling. I can’t see her, but I feel that smile. No. I am surrounded by liquor, however. I like margaritas, Dante. They taste good.
Behave, love. I want to be there with her as she tries tequila for the first time, but I shut down our connection. She’s safe. I allow the fucker-asshat-cocksucker to fall to the ground and turn to Julian and Taggart.
“So, you’re willing to vouch for him?”
Tag nods, and the tension in the room seems to deflate. “Yeah, I worked with him when I was in the military. He’s a proud dumbass who should have come to me when he cashed out, but no, he had to form his own crew and take on a bunch of shitty jobs to prove he could.”
Julian’s fangs recede. “Many of those jobs were for me. He’s done good work for me over the years, including retrieving my promised consort from the Seelie plane a few years back. Though he brought along an extra bit of baggage.”
Roan’s hand is on his throat, massaging it. “Well, I couldn’t kill the young man. He wouldn’t allow your consort to go without him. He’s lucky you’re a vampire with an open mind.”
Julian smiles, a genuine, affectionate smile. “I’ve forgiven you for that bit of business, Roan. It all worked out in the end and after this is over, Roan’s decided to join the team.”
“Well, I am sick of working for unsavory characters,” Roan admits. “Taggart can’t be worse.”
“I can try,” Taggart quips. “And I plan on you working with the Unseelie, so you might want to rethink your stance on unsavory characters.”
I really only heard one thing in that exchange. “You can get on the Seelie plane?”
“See, I told you he can learn,” Taggart says. “Roan and his men can get on and off the Seelie plane. They’ve been smuggling for years now.”
“It isn’t hard, if you know where to go,” Roan says, his voice still raspy. “And who to kill.”
Julian steps back. “I thought he might prove useful to you, Dellacourt. You see, I know something the rest of the world doesn’t know yet. According to Taggart’s sources, the Council is meeting secretly tonight. They’re voting on a resolution concerning Torin and his place on the Seelie throne.”
My stomach takes a deep dive. “We’re going to lose.”
Julian nods, his mouth a grim line. “Yes, I believe so. I think that by morning, the Vampire plane will officially open negotiations with King Torin, and your cousins will become the most hunted men on all the planes.”
It’s happening too fast. Gods, it’s been thirteen years and it’s still happening too fast.
“I have more bad news,” Taggart says. “I got a call from a man I have on the inside at the door that separates our plane from the Refugee plane. Your cousins are on their way to the Vampire plane. They’ll be here in a couple of hours.”
They’ll be walking into a trap. “They haven’t called. I don’t know how to stop them.”
“Calm down,” Roan says. “They’re smart and apparently can call the trees to their aid.”
But there aren’t any trees on this plane for Cian to work with. He might find the occasional houseplant, but he’ll have to be on the surface to find trees. This fight isn’t going to happen on the surface. This is all about the royals and their lack of available consorts.
Torin is going to win.
“I have to find them.” I’ll get on a bike and head for the south door. I know the route they’ll take.
“I already have men on it,” Taggart promises. “They’re waiting at the door and will make sure the kings get to the Dellacourt building. We’ll make arrangements to protect them.”
“I picked my side of this fight long ago.” Lodge nods toward the door at the end of the hall. “I’m related to the Unseelie king. He doesn’t want the true Seelie kings dead. Torin killed his daughter, my cousin, Gillian. We’ve been looking for revenge ever since.”
“And I just think Torin is an asshole and we’re way better off with the twins on the throne,” Taggart adds.
“Good, then please go and protect them. I know you’ve got men on it, but I want to know you’re watching out for them.” I don’t know Taggart’s men. I want the best.
Taggart looks from me to Roan. “You going to kill my new hire?”
So that’s why Taggart is really here. “No. He’s safe. But my cousins aren’t.”
Taggart nods. “I’ll make sure your cousins make it to sanctuary.”
Lodge watches him leave before turning to me. “Now, come into my office. Roan here has some things to go over with you. Your night is going to be rough, I’m afraid.”
Roan straightens his clothes. He looks odd out of camos, as though street clothes don’t quite suit him. “I took a job I shouldn’t have taken. I made a mistake, but I’m here to make it right. What do you know about Chalen Palgrave?”