Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90897 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90897 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“Not with parents like you,” Echo said, knowing her words were true despite having only known the Webbs for a few hours.
Elijah’s mother smiled. “What a lovely thing to say.”
“It’s the truth.” Echo shrugged, uncomfortable with the warm feeling passing between her and Nancy. “Anyway, as soon as Elijah helps me, I’ll direct him to the other fae who can help, and then you’ll see each other again. None of that should take too long.”
“We shall see, I suppose.”
Recognizing the worry shimmering in Nancy’s eyes, Echo found herself promising, “I’ll protect him with my life.”
Elijah’s mom smiled softly. “I believe you. Thank you.” She turned back to her dishes. “I’ve never met a vampire before. At least that I know of. But you’re certainly not what I expected.”
Echo stiffened. “What did you expect?”
“I suppose … I suppose I didn’t expect you to be so human.” Nancy smiled at her again over her shoulder. “You’re awfully human, dear. That’s rather a miracle considering the shadows in your eyes.”
Stunned, Echo didn’t know what to say.
She rather doubted Nancy Webb would have said the same a week ago if she’d seen her lying in Roark’s bed covered in blood.
“Echo!” Elijah shouted from the sitting room, fear clear in his voice.
Her pulse leapt, and on instinct, she grabbed Nancy and zoomed with her into the sitting room.
Elijah was pale, his eyes wide. “Danger,” he whispered hoarsely. “I sense danger.”
The words had barely left his mouth when the front door slammed open. Echo shoved Nancy behind her as Elijah did the same with Bill, and they turned as members of the Blackwood Coven filtered into the room.
7
Ten Blackwoods entered. Echo watched them spread out in a half circle in the sitting room, blocking the front exit. She calculated their weights and heights, those who held themselves like warriors. The Blackwoods trained a third of their coven in combat so they could tag-team their victims. The fighter kept the victim physically distracted while the rest of the coven used their magic to detain them. She’d have to take out the warriors first. Echo suspected there were three trained enemies in the room—two warlocks, one witch.
The rest were there to combine their magic.
Standing in the middle was a warlock Echo pegged as a fighter—he was built like one. Looked to be in his late forties and had an air of authority. His gray eyes moved from Echo to Nancy and Bill and finally settled on Elijah. The warlock bowed his head in respect. “Mr. Webb, I apologize for the unorthodox interruption, but we need to make haste.”
“Who are you?” Elijah’s expression was impressively blank, all the while keeping his dad behind him.
Echo glanced over her shoulder to see Nancy peering past her in fear and not a little curiosity.
“My name is Lincoln Blackwood. My brother is the head of the Blackwood Coven.”
Oh, they’d sent out the big guns.
Word was that Layton Blackwood, the coven head’s son, had been killed by Niamh Farren. What did they expect? They’d failed spectacularly to bring in a fae because they continually underestimated their power. Echo could only hope Elijah knew enough about his abilities to get them out of this situation.
“And what do you mean by breaking into this house?” Elijah demanded.
Lincoln held up his hand, palm outward. “We’re not here to fight. We’re here to protect you.” His attention flickered to Echo. “Do you know there is a vampire in your midst?”
Echo could only hope he didn’t recognize her.
“And not just any vampire. If I’m not mistaken, this is Echo Payne, daughter of the head of The Garm.” He curled his lip in a sneer.
Fuck. She’d have to kill him now.
Echo couldn’t let word get back to The Garm about her defection. Not until Odette was safe.
“The Garm is an organization whose sole purpose is to kill the fae. Did you know that, Mr. Webb?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Elijah shrugged, insouciant. “But I would like you to leave.”
“We’re not your enemy. We want to ensure your survival.”
“If you’re not my enemy, then you’ll do what I ask and show yourselves out.”
Lincoln gave him a weary look. “I can’t. It’s for your own protection. Please don’t make me do this.”
The hair on Echo’s arms stood on end seconds before Nancy and Bill dropped to their knees, clutching their chests as they cried out in pain.
“Mum! Dad!” Elijah fell before them, horror on his face.
Echo glanced frantically around the coven, but the energy was being channeled out of the Webbs by them all.
So be it.
Fast, faster than even most vampires, Echo was a blur around the room.
Snap! Snap! Snap!
Three coven members’ necks broken in an instant.
Pain ricocheted through her as they turned their magic on her, but Echo never dropped her speed. She was accustomed to pain. It was literally in her name. Lincoln dove out of her way, but she kept going.