Total pages in book: 192
Estimated words: 192810 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 964(@200wpm)___ 771(@250wpm)___ 643(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 192810 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 964(@200wpm)___ 771(@250wpm)___ 643(@300wpm)
“All inmates get it,” Aleksei continued. “It has no effect on demons, fae and humans. It’s filtered into the water, so they receive it even through their skin in the shower pods, which means everything they consume constantly delivers a low-level dose that keeps their beasts alive inside them, but unconscious and thus not a threat.”
“Oh my gods,” I breathed.
He came to me then, but I didn’t move, even when he got in my space, cupped my jaw in both hands, and dipped his face to mine.
“Your beast is not dead, darling. She’s in there. Except for the night we met, which undoubtedly sparked her waking because, for the first time, you were in the presence of your mate, and so was she, she’s been asleep for three months.”
My legs gave way.
Aleksei caught me.
Swinging me up in his arms, he walked me down into his living room, sat on something, set me in his lap and held me close.
I felt none of this.
Because I’d rounded his shoulders with my arms, held on for everything I was…
And sobbed.
“Who would…who-who w-would do that to me?” I moaned.
“I don’t know, bissi,” he whispered, and the sinister was back. “But I’m sure as fuck going to find out.”
Chapter 14
Spin
One could assume the aftermath of an assassination attempt was a chaotic time.
I could confirm this was correct.
But at first, it was just Aleksei and me.
My mate let me weep into his skin for a while, but this was interrupted when the sounds of the blades of a heli-craft could be heard overhead.
Rattled, I pulled away from him.
“Shh, love,” he murmured, cupping the side of my head and tucking my face back into his throat. “The RS will have mobilized a unit. Agents on the roof. More in the lobby. Others on the street. The Constabulary won’t want to be left out, and they’ll position a heavy presence around the building. Regardless, I was involved in the design of my security system, and it rivals the Palace. No one can get up here unless I wish them to.”
“Okay,” I mumbled, sniffed, then said, “I think I’m done crying.”
The gentle pressure of his hand lessened and I lifted my head.
He placed both hands on either side and swept my cheeks with his thumbs, his eyes watching them go.
I wasn’t over our fight, or how much of a dick he acted during it. I also wanted my family released from interrogation immediately.
But even so, I couldn’t deny his touch was sweet.
His gaze captured mine. “I’d like to call a doctor to have you looked over.”
Panic filled me, he sensed it and continued swiftly.
“She’s there, Laura. I feel her. But I’m certain you’ve been drugged for months without your knowledge. It’s my understanding this doesn’t have lasting effects. But I want you checked out.”
I wasn’t a big fan of doctors (anymore).
But give a little, get a little.
Right?
“Okay,” I agreed. “And I want Gayle, Cat and the Truelocks released.”
“Darling—”
I pulled from his hold and planted my hands firm on his chest. “No, Aleksei. They would never, ever hurt me. Not a one of them.”
“I’m afraid this has to be ascertained without a doubt.”
“You said you vetted them.”
“Beings manage to hide a variety of things in order to get into a number of mischiefs.”
“Not my beings.”
“This has to be done.”
“It’s a waste of time. I don’t want them frightened, or—”
That purple glow started to seep into his irises, and the sleek of his voice abraded when he stated, “You almost died tonight. And someone has been fucking with you for an unknown purpose, but whatever that purpose is, it’s nefarious and has to have caused you no small amount of pain. We are who we are, and it cannot be cast aside you are the future queen of this realm, which means you’re the future mother to a monarch, and as such, what’s been happening to you is high treason. But to me, that’s beside the point. You…are…my mate. And I will be without a doubt as to those who are in your life who might, no matter the outside chance, wish you harm.”
Without a doubt.
Oh gods.
He couldn’t be considering…
My voice had pitched high when I asked, “Are you going to give them truth serum?”
Gayle probably wouldn’t care (I hoped). Neither would Mrs. Truelock (and she simply wouldn’t, she was just as lovely with me as her husband).
But Mr. Truelock would think it was the height of indignity, and Cat, who hated to be out of control in any situation, would be pissed as all heck.
“It’s illegal to administer truth serum without a being’s consent,” Aleksei said.
I relaxed.
“However, if they refuse the injection, this will be taken into account and not in a positive way,” he concluded.
I tensed again, and was about to say something, but he beat me to it.
“If they love you, they won’t blink at taking it.”