Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 118860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Rud glanced at Sarika and then flexed the long stiletto-like claws until one rested over Sandrine’s jugular. “Do you think you’re fast enough?” he challenged.
Sarika stepped toward Rud in protest. Percy’s hand slid off her arm. He didn’t make a move. Tomas shot her a single look and she froze in place.
He turned his predatory gaze back to Rud and slowly inclined his head. “Faster, yes. I’m Carpathian, as are my brothers. Should you do the child any damage, we have ways to heal her. She is in no danger from you. You, however, are in tremendous danger.”
Luiz. Sarika reached for her cousin. Why aren’t you here? You said you would come, especially if there’s trouble.
Her cousin answered her immediately. By chance, Tomas, Lojos and Mataias happened to have taken rest beneath the earth where Rud decided on a confrontation with Jasmine, you and little Sandrine. As they were closer and more than capable of handling the situation, I have sought sustenance.
The reminder made her shudder. So you’re out feeding yourself and leaving my safety and that of Jasmine and her child to perfect strangers. She wanted to strangle him.
There was a short silence. Once again, she had the impression of male amusement that didn’t quite register with him. It was there, she felt it, but he didn’t.
The impulse to strangle must be a genetic thing, he said. He sounded lazy. Not in the least concerned about her safety. I have the urge to strangle you for putting yourself in this position after I gave you specific orders not to leave the house.
She was not commenting on that. The entire time she was chastising her cousin, she kept her attention centered on Tomas. How could she not? He commanded the situation with his quiet authority. She didn’t like his solution—that if Rud succeeded in puncturing Sandrine’s artery, the Carpathians would simply heal the laceration. It wasn’t that easy, that simple, to stop someone from bleeding out when there was arterial damage.
Tomas looked utterly confident. Almost too confident, as if the entire situation bored him. She studied him and realized, not through looking at him but feeling him, that he wanted Rud to challenge him. Tomas fascinated her. Mesmerized her. She had thought Luiz was terrifying; Tomas was frightening to her in a different way. She just wasn’t certain what that was.
Rud glared at him and then shot a look at both Percy and Bacus. “You dare to interfere with our species? Do you really believe you can get away with challenging the leader of our people?”
Tomas inclined his head. “Yes. If you prefer formality, Jasmine, would you tell me what Rud is doing with your daughter and what he intended to do with you?”
“He planned on kidnapping Sandrine and forcing me to go with him. If I refused, he said he would kill her,” Jasmine said. Her voice was barely above a whisper. “He intended to use both of us for breeding purposes.”
“As is my right,” Rud snarled. “There is no interference between species.”
“And you?” Tomas turned those brilliant aquamarine eyes toward Sarika. His gaze settled on her. Held her captive. Compelled her to answer him. “I do not believe we’ve met.”
She lifted her chin. She didn’t know why she felt it was important she didn’t look frightened. Inside, she was quaking. It was difficult to control the tremors in her body. “I just arrived yesterday to visit my cousin, Luiz Silva.”
It was an innocent enough statement, delivered in a calm, low voice. She was honest. Direct. But the moment she spoke to him, Tomas’ entire attention focused on her. His expression didn’t change, but his eyes did. That powerful predator was suddenly fixated on her. Not only him but his brothers as well. She felt the weight of their scrutiny like a laser piercing through skin and bones to the very heart and soul of her.
She had no idea what she’d said to cause the three Carpathians to focus on her with their strange, piercing eyes, but she wanted none of it. She found their intense scrutiny to be more difficult to deal with than Rud. Rud she could fight. She had a chance of besting him using her brains—her greatest weapon. She had discovered, just by observation, that he could be manipulated. Not so, the three Carpathians. Worse, she feared, even though they hadn’t touched her or taken her blood, they were able to read her thoughts.
“Your name?” Tomas’ voice was low, but this time it was all velvet smooth. More intimate than anything she’d ever heard in her life.
For a moment, she thought to stay silent. Defiant. Self-preservation was strong.
“She is my female, a jaguar shifter, not Carpathian. You have no authority over her or any of us,” Rud snapped. “Don’t you dare tell him your name.”
She detested being told what to do, especially by the likes of a disturbed, misogynistic, arrogant would-be dictator. Every time the man spoke, he set her teeth on edge.