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)
Echo shrugged as they got into the SUV, and Elijah thought she wasn’t going to respond. But as she settled into the passenger seat, she said, “The general rule is that a vampire grows stronger and faster with age. However, there are some who are more powerful than others because of their lineage. By that, I mean, how closely related they are to an original vampire. William was extremely powerful and fast from the moment of his turning because he was turned by Eirik.”
“Ah.” Understanding dawned on Elijah. “And William turned you.”
“Exactly. And my adoptive father is very particular about who he turns because of the power he’s transferring to them. He’s only turned a handful of vamps in his entire five-hundred-year existence. I’m the only one left in The Garm, which is probably why he wants me to be his second-in-command. Next to him, I’m the fastest, strongest vamp he’s got.”
“Impressive. Aren’t I glad you’re on my side.”
To his delight, Echo hinted at a smile. He wished she’d do it more often. He wished he could hear her laugh. As if she sensed his desire, Echo stiffened and her smile melted. To his annoyance, he felt the chill in her emotions as she leaned toward the SUV’s computer screen and tapped directions into the GPS.
“Where to now?”
“Gatwick Airport. According to your GPS, it’s about an hour and twenty minutes from here.”
He frowned. “I thought you said all the London airports will be under surveillance?”
“They will be. We’re not boarding the plane to Canada the usual way.”
“What do you mean?”
“There are bulk holds within the cargo space of a plane. It’s where they put pets, and it’s air-conditioned at the same temperature as the plane’s passenger compartment. When we get to the airport, I’ll find out which gate the plane is leaving from, and you and I will sneak into the cargo hold.”
Elijah guffawed. “The fucking cargo hold? With the pets?”
“I’ve done it before. It’s not comfortable, but it’ll do.”
“Fuck,” he huffed. “Are you sure this is the best idea you can come up with? Can’t we just sneak onto the actual plane from outside the gate?”
“Even if we did, what if the plane runs late? What if we arrive in New Brunswick before dawn, but for whatever reason, there’s no gate available and the plane has to sit on the runway for hours until dawn?” She raised an eyebrow at him. “Do you want crispy-fried vampire for breakfast?”
He grimaced. “You have such a charming way with words. But I get your point. Cargo hold it is.”
9
Keeping her expression neutral, Echo glanced quickly around once more and nodded at Elijah. She lunged with vampire otherworldliness up into the cargo hold. She walked through a narrow path between the containers that held the luggage, her eyes adjusting to the dark as she felt Elijah land behind her.
Sweeping the space, eyes dancing over luggage containers and freight pallets, Echo found a path toward the rear. “Follow me.”
The bulk hold was at the back of the plane. Pushing open the heavy door, Echo eased inside the lit space and relaxed to find there was only one dog in his crate. Sometimes if she was in the vicinity of too many animals, they went a little crazy. As it was, the border terrier lifted his head with big, round, dark eyes and bared his teeth.
“Before I was a vampire, animals loved me,” she commented as Elijah moved in behind her. With a small smile for the dog, Echo approached the crate cautiously as Elijah closed the door behind them. “Hey, buddy. You’re on your own down here. You must be scared, sweet boy.”
“How do you know it’s a boy?”
Echo smirked. “I pay attention.”
“Oh. Right.”
The dog trembled, making her heart squeeze.
“It’s okay. You’re not alone now.” She stepped closer to the crate and put her fingertips through as she crooned to him. “We’re going to keep you company. I hope you don’t mind. Are you nervous for your trip to Canada? Don’t be, sweet boy. You’re going to love it.”
The dog tentatively sniffed her fingertips and then licked them.
She grinned triumphantly. “Who’s a sweet, handsome boy? Yes, you are.”
His tail wagged frantically.
“Let’s get you out of this crate.” She reached for the lock.
“Uh, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Elijah covered her hand.
The feel of his calloused fingertips on her skin made her shiver, and suddenly she was caught in those green-gold eyes. “Why not?”
Before he could answer, she tensed at the sound of two voices out in the cargo hold. She heard the words final checks.
“I hear them.” Elijah grabbed her wrist and led her to the back of the room. The terrier barked at her departure. Pushing her into the darkest corner, Elijah covered her, his hands flat to the wall above her head. “Pull whatever shadows you can.”