Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29381 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29381 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
But I do. The danger isn’t over.
“Father’s magical alarms sounded. Within seconds, the windows crashed in. The intruders were everywhere, wizards and half-rotted human corpses.” I shiver at the horrific memory. “I’ve never seen anything like them.”
“The Anarki. Mathias’s foul army.”
“They swarmed like locusts. Everyone scattered. My father grabbed my arm and used his body to protect me. That’s when he shoved me through the hidden door in his office.”
God, I’ll never forget that final look on his face, so full of terror yet so frighteningly resigned. I shake with fresh sobs as another wave of grief wrenches me. “I…ran. Once I was far enough from Mathias’s power, I teleported here.”
He grips my shoulders, pausing only to gently wipe tears from my cheeks. “I’m sorry you endured that. And I’m sorry about your family, Tabby. I had no reason to think Mathias would target your family or I would have—”
“No, I’m sorry to intrude.” I hiccup trying to stifle more tears. “I know you and your…friends fight Mathias. I didn’t know who else to turn to.”
“You did the right thing,” he assures, holding me even tighter.
Did I have much choice?
For weeks I’ve wondered why Raiden doesn’t love me. Why he could never love me. I don’t have a clue. But when my parents demanded that he leave me and never return, he complied, seemingly without a backward glance. If I wasn’t trapped in a life-or-death prospect, Raiden is the last man I would ever seek.
But only he can help me now.
“Did your father say anything before he told you to run?”
I nod. “Something I-I don’t understand. It makes no sense. I fear I misunderstood…”
“Tell me.” He thumbs away fresh tears.
In my head, I frown and replay my father’s voice, filled with forced calm. “He told me to protect the secret tree.”
“What the devil?” Raiden frowns, clearly as confused as I feel. “Did you have such a thing on your property? Did it burn down?”
I shrug. “I’ve no idea what he meant. He never mentioned a secret tree that I remember.”
“Do you know where he might have grown one? Or why it’s secret?”
I shake my head. Frustration wars with panic. I must discern what my father wanted me to protect or his death will have been in vain. “I don’t know.”
“Shh. We’ll figure it out.” Raiden cradles me against his chest. “Before the attack, was he behaving differently?”
“Not really, except…after this business with Mathias began a few months past, he became extremely cautious with his historical documents. He removed some from the house. I’ve no idea where he took them. He never said. The only other time I saw him relocate work was…” I sigh, trying to think back through the years. “It was decades ago. When I was a child, he once brought me with him to an office. Perhaps in a Council building? I barely remember.”
“Do you have any idea where this building was? Maybe the secret tree is there.”
I picture the large, modernish building in my mind, remember the guards smiling at me and the labyrinth of stairwells. “It’s all so hazy. I can’t imagine what my father was hiding or why Mathias would target him. Most of his work was publicly available.”
“But not all. Then again, Mathias may have merely wanted to cause terror and instigate violence. Drink up, love.” Suddenly, Raiden conjures a teacup and presses the delicate rim to my lips.
I hesitate, then take a sip, surprised when it’s both my favorite brew and the perfect temperature. “Thank you.”
“Always so ladylike.” A soft smile curves his mouth. “You don’t need to thank me.”
I huddle closer to Raiden, flashing him a bittersweet smile. He has this way of poking gentle fun at my gentility…yet making me feel like a woman.
When I first fell for him, the feelings rushed me like a tempest—hard, fast, undeniable. I quickly learned that loving Raiden is like eating too much chocolate—scrumptious and incredible, but in the long run…bad for me. “You’ve said that before.”
Indeed. The first time he seduced me. Just before he showed me the meaning of passion beyond words.
Best not to think of that now. After spending amazing days with Raiden—and even more amazing nights—I awakened one morning to find that my magical signature had altered to reflect the child I carried. Within twenty-four hours, he was gone from my life.
I shove aside the crushing memory and rise to pace the room. I have to focus. My family is gone, killed for something I don’t understand. And I’ve no idea how to protect myself from Mathias.
“Tabby,” he murmurs. “I see your mind working. We’re more likely to solve this problem together. Talk to me.”
I shake my head. “Too much nervous energy.”
And despite my grief, being close to him is still too dangerous to my fragile heart.
He rises, and I catch an unmistakable flare of heat in his eyes. When he blinks, it’s gone.