Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 121008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 403(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 403(@300wpm)
Holding the bag out, I allow Dante to take it. I exchange it for the flashlight. He slings the bag over his shoulder and follows me into the darkened recesses of the warehouse. It’s different from when we visited earlier in the afternoon. There’s a gloom over the whole place that seems very foreboding. I take a deep breath and force myself to continue moving forward.
“Wow, I really don’t like this place,” Dante says. “I want to leave.”
I look back at him. His face is pinched and tight with fear. I sympathize. If I didn’t have to be here, I would probably be running right now. “It’s the doorway. I’m sure there are wards to protect it. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. You don’t have to come in with me. I can make it on my own.”
His eyes narrow, and even in the shadows, I can see I pissed him off. “Just lead the way, sister. I might not be a vampire, but I can handle it.”
“Of course you can, Mr. Dellacourt,” a silky voice says from the shadows. I nearly jump out of my skin as the light reveals we’re not alone. A Planeswalker stands on the steps leading to the second floor. He turns his head away from the light. “If you please, Your Highness, that is intrusive.”
I direct the flashlight away from his face. My hands shake as I face the demon. Is this the same demon who brought me here? I think I recognize the voice. “Are you here to stop me from going home?”
The demon’s laugh fills the space. “No, Your Highness. I’m here to use the door. I walk these planes on a daily basis. I gain strength from crossing through the veil. My body requires that energy to function. I also take contracts and receive payment to access the doors from those less intelligent than yourself and the great Mr. Dellacourt.”
Dante snorts. “Yeah, I’m great. I almost peed myself when you started talking. Is he going to kill us?”
The last bit is whispered my direction.
“As I haven’t been paid to do so, I will forego any murders this evening,” the demon promises, proving his hearing is excellent. “I was looking forward to a very dull passage. Now I have a bit of excitement. It was clever of you to find the door, Your Highness. The hag is going to be somewhat upset to discover you’ve found the way back to your kingdom. I believe her employer will be upset as well.”
“Torin,” I surmise.
The demon smiles, showing jagged teeth. “Yes, the pretender is terrified of the warrior king. He should be even more frightened now. The philosopher king has a bit of the warrior’s rage since the bonding. He could prove even more formidable than his twin.”
“Beck isn’t sure he even wants the throne anymore,” I explain. My warrior husband is tired of fighting.
The demon studies me for a moment. “I doubt he’ll have a choice when the time comes. As for you, Mr. Dellacourt, your choices are just beginning. There’s a whole world open and ripe for the plucking. I think you’ve made the first choice that will take you on the road to greatness.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” There’s an odd look on Dante’s face. If I didn’t know better, I would swear he looks guilty.
“Don’t listen to him,” I say, grasping his hand in my own. He’s shaking slightly. “He’s a demon. I don’t think they’re known for their honesty.”
“On the contrary, Your Highness,” the Planeswalker says with an offended air. “I never lie when the truth is so deliciously awful. But Mr. Dellacourt’s future is neither here nor there. It is your future that is at risk. I’m looking forward to seeing if you can save those boys of yours.”
“They’re in danger?” I ask the question, but I know the answer. They would be weakened without me there to bridge their minds. They’ve been in danger since the minute I was taken from them.
“Oh, yes,” the demon says smoothly, as though we’re discussing some juicy gossip. “The hag managed to catch one of them with her spell, but the intellectual half evaded her. I’m afraid she didn’t ask the right questions. She asked for a spell that would shift the warrior’s magic. She assumed it would shift into her. That was a mistake.”
“Cian absorbed it.” I know exactly what’s happened. “Then he was strong enough to run with Beck?”
“Oh, yes, Your Highness. King Cian was able to flee with his brother on his back. His own poor body, however, could not handle the strain of both their powers. He had to find safe haven. Both he and the warrior are currently in a fugue state. They sleep, waiting for the one who can set them to rights.”
Tears pool in my eyes. “I have to get to them.”