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)
“Roark said he wasn’t interested in William’s vendetta against the fae. He wanted The Garm for its power and money and businesses. He suggested if we killed William, he’d drop the fae agenda.”
Conall leaned forward, gaze sharp. “And you think if we kill William, The Garm willnae retaliate? You think they’d rather claim his power for their own means?”
“I think William had three people in his inner circle. Two of them are dead and the other is me. The rest were just paid lackies. Some bought into William’s crap about Faerie, but most of those supernaturals work for him because of the money and because of the protection that comes with being in a criminal organization like The Garm. It’s not what it was. Most of the true believers are dead. I think if we take out William, the rest of The Garm will be so busy fighting among themselves for leadership, it’ll give us space to take out Astra and the coven.”
Elijah stared at the woman at his side, pride now mingling with the territorialism. Christ, she was fierce and beautiful and—
Her head whipped toward him like she’d sensed everything he was feeling. Her expression softened, and Elijah had to admit, he liked that he was one of the few people who provoked her tender side.
“We take out William first, then,” Kiyo said. “It’s a solid plan.”
“Do you think we should linger here while we plan an assault against William?” Thea covered Conall’s hand with hers and squeezed. “In case our presence draws the Blackwood Coven to the pack before we’re ready for them.”
Fionn gestured with a wave of his hand. “According to my sources, the Blackwoods are regrouping now that both Lincoln and Layton are dead. Bran has been trying to keep tabs on William. He’s on the move. Took a flight to Frankfurt and is holed up there in an airport hotel while it’s daylight. We should be more concerned about Astra tracking us here, but we’ll know if she does.” He looked to Niamh.
Niamh’s expression turned fierce. “I can sense Astra. During our confrontations, it was clear Astra had a particular connection with me. After my mating bond to Kiyo snapped into place, I realized I—”
“Sorry for interrupting again,” Elijah apologized. “What do you mean the bond snapped into place?” He forced himself not to look at Echo as he asked.
Niamh’s fierceness softened. “A true-mate bond exists from the moment your mate enters this world. But it isn’t complete until the connection is solidified. Usually through sex. Then your scents become one.”
He and Echo turned to each other. They both knew their scents were as one.
Their bond had snapped into place when they had sex.
Elijah knew Echo didn’t want to discuss it, but his territorialism and need to claim this female as his rode him. He shifted in his seat in agitation.
“You were saying, Niamh?” Thea gently pulled the conversation back. “You can sense Astra now?”
“Yes. A new development, but a handy one. That’s how I knew how to find Elijah and Echo. I followed Astra. It does mean I’ll sense her coming. So we’re safe here for a day or so while we come up with a plan. William first. But I want to state something now and hope you’ll allow me this.”
Conall nodded. “Go on.”
“Astra won’t stop. Ever.” Sorrow crossed Niamh’s face. “Which means there is no other option but to kill her. And … she confessed to forcing an Irish coven to kill my brother, Ronan.”
Sympathy charged through Elijah as he remembered the Blackwoods had almost killed his parents.
“If Astra has to die … I want to be the one to do it. For Ronan.”
“The kill is yours,” Fionn agreed gruffly.
Rose nodded. “Absolutely.”
Thea and Conall exchanged a look, and Elijah realized the couple did this often, their bond so deep they didn’t even need words to communicate. Thea turned to Niamh. “It should be you, Niamh. But we’ll be there with you every step of the way.”
Kiyo reached beneath the table to smooth a hand over his mate’s leg. Elijah noted the gentle but possessive squeeze and envy burned through him.
All the couples were secure in their bond.
Close as any two people could be.
He wanted that, he realized.
He wanted Echo to be his, but even more, he wanted her to want it too.
His mate clearly wasn’t thinking the same, however, because she leaned forward, all business. “William. You said he was on the move … and I wished I’d thought of it sooner, but I’m pretty sure I know where’s he’s flying to. Now that Elijah and I killed his two strongest officers and hid Odette from him …” Her beautiful features tightened. “He’ll know what I know. He’ll go after my human mother first. He’s flying to London. We need to get there before him and set a trap.”