Total pages in book: 230
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
Unsure of how to really process him pumping the brakes on this, whatever this was, I nodded. “Okay.”
He drew my head back and then I felt his lips press to my temple. He kissed me there, and I don’t know why, but that act squeezed at my chest like my heart was in a juice grinder. It was sweet and intimate and… It was everything.
Caden helped me to my feet, where I swayed a little as I made sure my wig was in place. He stood and extended his hand. I took it, threading my fingers through his. We both turned—
The door swung open without warning. Standing in the center was the damn female fae. Alyssa. And she wasn’t alone. Behind her were two Ancients, and behind them was another.
“That’s her,” she said, lip curling. “I knew I recognized her. That’s the bitch from Flux. The one who went into the room with Tobias.”
CHAPTER 23
“Crap,” I muttered.
“You have got to be kidding me.” Alyssa sneered as one of the Ancients shoved another dark-haired Ancient forward, into the room. “Are you working with them too, Neal?”
It was that moment when I realized that Neal was an Ancient. He didn’t look all that concerned as he faced Alyssa and the other two Ancients, but I was.
There were two bald-headed Ancients eyeing Caden and me like they wanted to rip us limb from limb, and as I eyed Neal, I really didn’t trust the Ancient, because I kept seeing the name listed as co-owner.
“I really have no idea what you’re talking about and I really don’t appreciate being shoved around.” Neal lifted a brow. “In my own bar, no less.”
Alyssa, wearing the same black sheath, crossed her slender arms. “Do I look like I care?”
“You should,” Neal replied, straightening the cuffs of his suit jacket.
The female fae smirked as her gaze flickered from Neal to Caden and then finally to me. “Do you think I didn’t know why you were asking about Aric?” she said, speaking to Caden. “You’re the Summer Prince. Wasn’t like I was going to trust you.”
“But you trust Aric?” Caden still held my hand. “You do realize he was one of my Knights before betraying me. Not exactly someone you should trust.”
“Was being the key word,” came a new voice from outside of the hall.
“Hell,” Neal muttered.
Caden let go of my hand.
The two Ancients stepped aside as they were joined by another. He came to stand behind Alyssa and….
And my heart—God, it felt like it stopped, because I recognized him. I would never forget those high, angular cheeks or close cropped light brown hair. I’d never forget that mouth and the scar that cut through the right side of his upper lip.
“It’s him,” I whispered, my stomach twisting. I couldn’t believe it. The Ancient Caden was looking for was the one who murdered my mother and nearly killed me. I could feel Caden’s gaze on me. “It’s him.”
The Ancient’s pale-eyed gaze flicked to me as he placed his hands on Alyssa’s shoulders. His head cocked to the side. “I remember you.” He laughed. “But you looked a hell of a lot different the last time I saw you. Not just the hair and the dress. Less blood.”
I reacted without thought. Engaging the iron cuff, I shot forward with a scream of rage.
Caden snagged me around the waist, hauling me back. “That wouldn’t be wise.”
“Let me go!” I shouted, digging my fingers in his arm. “He killed my mother. He—”
“I get it.” Caden’s voice was quiet. “I do, but Aric’s not yours.”
I didn’t care what Caden said or how he felt. Aric was mine.
“He knows.” Neal crossed his arms. “About the mortuus and the younglings.”
Alyssa frowned as my stomach sank.
“You son of a bitch,” Caden growled, his arm sealing me to him. “You just lied to my face.”
Neal lifted a shoulder. “Like I said, I wasn’t loyal to you.”
“And you said you weren’t loyal to him,” I spat back.
“You were listening?” Neal chuckled as he looked me up and down. “And here I thought you were… distracted by his hand up your skirt.”
“Shut up,” I seethed.
“Interesting.” Aric glanced between us. “Very interesting, indeed, seeing you with her. A member of the Order. Can’t say I’m that surprised. Do you know I’ve tasted her blood? Just for the fun of it? Kind of like history repeating itself, don’t you think? Makes me think of that little bird of yours.”
Little bird?
A roar erupted from Caden. He whipped me to the side and then behind him as he charged forward.
“Don’t kill her. Not yet. She’s very useable.” Aric shoved Alyssa forward, and then drifted back as the two bald Ancients went at Caden.
He caught the first by the throat and lifted him several feet off the floor before slamming him down. The impact rattled the boxes as Caden lifted his head, his glare trained on Aric.