Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Tristan checked his watch, a Cartier Tank Must, with its iconic rectangular shape and minimalistic aesthetic. He was going for refined simplicity without sacrificing style, a good choice for an everyday watch.
I knew way too much about watches now, but I didn’t like what the mages had chosen for me in L.A. Their pick just didn’t seem like me. Neither did that ridiculous dress and those stupid gloves. They had a vision for what I should be in their world, but I wasn’t a part of that world. I wasn’t a mage, just like I wasn’t a shifter. I was even having a hard time fitting in with the gargoyles, which I was supposed to be.
If I were forced to stand apart, I’d do it my way. I’d choose my own dress code, I’d choose my own watch, and, now that I’d learned mages were starting to care about cars, I’d choose my own transportation, too. This new life was supposed to be about my fresh start, and I wouldn’t trade that because extreme weirdness creeped mages out. Honestly, I could “weird” in my sleep. My crew greatly helped with that. I didn’t need a stupid dress to prove it.
Patty held up a large box with a reinforced bottom and corners. She wove around the furniture to deposit it on the coffee table. Her expression was delighted and expectant.
I threaded my fingers together, looking at it. “A…connection req—”
“A connection request,” she practically yelled at me, bouncing up and down.
Tristan sat forward, bracing his elbows on his knees. “That’s good news.”
“That is very good news,” Patty said. “Open it up—let’s see if he has good taste.”
The lid of the box came away to reveal a heavily wrapped object inside. Wood secured it, and Styrofoam kept it from bumping into its supports. Tristan stood to help as Patty pulled out an envelope. She handed it over with barely contained excitement.
“I’ve looked into him,” she said as I opened it. “Top guardian in his cairn, of course, but also noted to be kind and generous. He worked up to lead enforcer quickly and protected the cairn against several raids. I have his stats here, somewhere, let me see…”
Dear Miss Ironheart,
My name is Evan, the new leader of the Nikken cairn. I believe you met my predecessor, Withor.
I wanted to personally thank you for bringing to light the treatment of my cousin. More importantly, I wanted to express my utmost gratitude for trying to help her in her time of need. She informed me that several other people knew about her situation, inside the cairn and out, but no one raised the red flag or, when the situation became clear to her, tried to step in. You alone did that, even though it would hurt your standing with this cairn and within the community to do so.
I’ve seen all of your correspondence, including your most recent threat. If not for you, I might not have had the courage to take on someone of Withor’s stature. My cousin and I owe you a debt of gratitude.
Please accept this formal connection request as the gift I mean it to be. It is a production cairn newly established and recently acquired. Their work speaks for itself. I asked them to create something fit for a female gargoyle. I think it is their best work yet.
Warm regards,
Evan Smithenson
Controller for Nikken Cairn
“That’s sweet,” I said as Patty passed off a piece of paper to Tristan.
She then reached for the letter I held. I gave it to her before standing to see the wrapped gift. It had been taken from the box and set on its own. I pulled the wrapping away, then sucked in a breath.
“Oh, it’s beautiful,” I sighed.
The object was a stunning, handcrafted glass sculpture shaped like a large bowl but with parts of the sides pulled up artistically. The form was dynamic and fluid, with a wavy shape that gave it a sense of movement. The glass itself showed multicolored, vibrant swirls with hues of amber, gold, purple, pink, and blue. It created a captivating, iridescent effect when it caught the light. It was delicate yet bold, stunning and sophisticated, with an almost luminous quality that did remind me of my gargoyle form. I didn’t care what Naomi said—this was absolutely going to be shown off in Ivy House.
“Oh, Jessie, look,” Patty said in awe, her eyes wide as she took it in.
“Very classy,” Tristan noted, putting the piece of paper Patty had handed him on the coffee table. “If nothing else, we’ll want to establish trade with them. Oh, and there’s another envelope,” he said, pointing to a plain white one beside the box. “It was at the bottom of the package.”
Patty scooped it up and looked at the front. “Not addressed to Jessie.” She started to open it. Finders keepers, apparently.