Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 195(@200wpm)___ 156(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 195(@200wpm)___ 156(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
He laughed, the sound rich and warm. “That’s my line for you. Minus the jealousy,” he replied, his gaze full of affection and a hint of something deeper, more intense. “I know you didn’t want me here,” he murmured, his voice low, “but the thought of you doing Judicium alone … I was ready to burn this place down to keep you safe.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Burn this place down, huh? Well, I’m glad you’re here too. Not that I can’t handle myself, but it’s kinda nice not having to by my lonesome.”
He tightened his embrace briefly. “I know you can handle yourself. I’ve never doubted that for a second. Just remember, I’m here to watch your back, not just to admire how you handle everything thrown your way.”
I smirked, stepping away but keeping one hand on his arm. “Watching my back, or just watching me? There’s a fine line, Mr. Sinclair.”
“Perhaps a bit of both? Whichever one keeps you within my reach.”
His words hung between us, a playful yet earnest undertone that made my heart skip. I approached the cart, curiosity piqued, and lifted the metal dome with a flourish to reveal an array of sealed food items, neatly arranged and seemingly untouched by human hands, giving off an aura of safety.
“Look at this,” I said, picking up a sealed container.
Inside was a cheese and cracker platter, each piece perfectly portioned. Beside it were small bowls of fresh salad, the greens crisp and vibrant, each sealed tightly with a clear lid. “Even the food gets a full security detail here.”
Hael peered over my shoulder, his eyes scanning the assortment. “Makes you wonder whether they’re keeping something out, or keeping something in.”
I sat the lid aside and reached for a chilled bottle of water, its sides slick with condensation. “I’ll opt for keeping something out. Like doubt. Can’t have us second-guessing the only decent meal we might get in here.”
As I handed him a bottle, our fingers brushed, and a spark of connection jolted through me. “So, what’s your pick? Safe bets on anything that looks like it could survive a fall from a plane.”
Hael grinned, selecting a package containing a sandwich, its contents visible through the clear wrapping. “I’ll take the high-altitude sandwich, then. Looks like it could survive more than just a fall.”
We sat down on the edge of the bed, our temporary sanctuary filled with the soft rustling of wrappers, the tension of the day momentarily suspended. As we ate, Hael broke the companionable silence with a question that had obviously been on his mind.
“What do you think they’ve got planned for us next?”
I shrugged, focusing on unwrapping a particularly stubborn packet of crackers. “Honestly, I don’t even want to pretend to guess. If I end up wrong, I would be too embarrassed to go on.”
He nodded, accepting my evasion before steering the conversation toward a more delicate topic. “How do you think Aisha’s handling things? And … what do you make of Rafe?” His tone was casual, but I knew he was probing, searching for something more in my response.
I paused, meeting his gaze squarely. “You know Aisha’s tougher than she looks. She’ll be fine, though the same can’t be said for her sister. As for Rafe …”
I trailed off, choosing my words carefully. “I know how he presents himself, but no one that shiny would survive the Devil’s Playground. He’s … a puzzle I’m still figuring out.” My voice softened a bit. “What do you think of him?”
Hael chewed thoughtfully for a moment, his eyes flicking towards the doorway as if expecting Raphael to walk through it at any moment. “He seems solid. He’s got your back, that much is clear so far. But he’s also got his own agenda. Everyone here does.”
I leaned back, sipping from a bottle of water, combing back through the interactions I’d had with Raphael. “True. But that’s the game, isn’t it? We’re all here to play, and every player has their moves.”
“Just don’t let your guard down too quickly, Kennedy. Especially not with Eryx.”
I recapped my water and sat it back on the cart, rolling onto my side to face him. “I thought we were talking about the Golden Boy?”
“You think I don’t know you’ve got your sights set on the crazy one, too?” His tone is teasing yet edged with a deeper seriousness. “You’re playing chess with a couple of kings, and you’re looking to control the board.”
I laughed at his analogy. “Well, if we’re playing chess, then it’s better to have the kings on my side rather than against me, isn’t it? And who says I can’t enjoy the game while I’m at it? You’re one of my kings too, you know.”
“In that case, what could possibly top that role? Besides the queen, of course.”
“I think a soulmate. But I’m not sure if that term applies to chess.”