Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 130619 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 653(@200wpm)___ 522(@250wpm)___ 435(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130619 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 653(@200wpm)___ 522(@250wpm)___ 435(@300wpm)
Why aren’t I?
“Let’s go find out what news my team has brought from their travels,” Micah says, opening the door for me.
I hesitate, trapped in my silence for no good reason, and while I willingly move Micah’s direction, once I’m there, I can’t help but glance back at the storm one more time. And just as suddenly as it had appeared, the blood is gone, washed away in the glassy clear droplets of heavy falling rain. There’s a twist of fear in my belly. Did I imagine it? Is the serpent growing stronger inside me? Is it taunting me? Does Micah know that might happen, and that’s why he keeps slamming a wall between us?
The idea has me quaking inside.
When I face forward again, I don’t look at Micah, but I can feel his eyes heavy on my face. I don’t ask about the blood that drenched the mighty storm only minutes before, for fear it offers him confirmation that I’m beyond saving. But deep inside me, resolve forms, thick as steel and as wide as this world and the next. I’m going to kill the serpent. I’m going to kill Jeremy. If they play games of fuckery with me, they will not find the same girl who refused to kill a tiger in the forest as their opponent.
They will find death.
Resolve formed, I enter the castle, and once I’ve crossed the threshold, I can almost feel the house welcome me, a current of magic softly caressing along my nerve endings. My gaze lifts to the kitchen island where not one, but four people—three men and a woman—gather around, and almost as if they sense my presence, the chatter goes silent and they turn to stare at me.
They know I’m the Aza.
Which I knew, of course, but they’re looking at me as if I’m a creature from another world, and I guess maybe I am. More a monster, and I do not like it, my nerves fluttering about my belly with a drum beating in my chest. Micah joins me, this time to my left. “They’re on our side, Ember. They’re just stunned that the miracle we’ve heard about all our lives is finally a living, breathing Nephilim. They’ll get over it.” His hand settles on my back, and his magic hums through me in a way it has not in the past, and I wonder why it’s so active. “You okay?” he asks.
I glance up at him, searching his handsome face. “Are you?”
“This is one moment in time I can say I’m fucking terrific. I’m in this house with you and my most trusted friends. Let’s go meet everyone.” He shocks me by catching my hand in his and leading me across the room toward the island, as if making a statement. I’m under his protection. Back off, if you know what is good for you.
I’m stunned by his action and on edge over him feeling the need.
The group parts and creates a spot for us at the island with our backs to the door, which would normally bother me. I’ve always had this weird instinct to watch my back, which now means far more to me than a silly paranoia. I always knew I was different. But I don’t insist on repositioning myself now, not in the house where I feel protected. I’m not sure if that is all the house, either. Beyond reason, I know Micah is my protector. At least, for now, I think with a twist in my gut.
We step to the island, and Silas is across from me, his eyes bubbling with mischief, not fire. “Hiya, Ember. I told them all you’re cool. You won’t kill us with a look or any shit like that.”
“Are you sure about that?” I dare, intentionally jabbing at Silas, but only in jest. I actually like him. He’s got that big brother vibe, and I always wanted a big brother. Though I doubt he wanted a sister who could destroy the world.
“Silas,” Micah snaps.
“I’m just keeping it real,” Silas says, but holds his hands up. “Sorry, boss.” He gives me a narrowed-eyed look. “Sorry, Ember. Are you thinking of killing me?”
“Very brutally,” I assure him. “I did just kill a crab on the beach. Well, I mean, Micah helped, but I let him.”
Micah laughs low and deep and drapes an arm around me, the act creating butterflies in my belly. He’s really not leaving any question to our personal involvement, but then I’m sure Silas has let them all know he found us tongue dancing by the lighthouse.
“Ignore him,” the woman to Silas’ left says. She’s pretty and petite, but her energy reads like a badass. I guess her to be around thirty-two human years at most, though she’s likely far, far older. Her hair is a silky, sun-kissed brown. Her skin as ivory as a new day’s snow. “That’s what we do if we aren’t kicking his ass to shut him up. I’m Gabriella, Ember. I’m obviously not a Crystal Seer, but I am a Seer. I’m glad we found you.”