Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 89222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Yes.
So, I get extra Hulk strength out of this?
When she doesn’t answer, I realize it’s probably because she doesn’t get that reference.
No.
You are in for a comic learning session, too.
The unforgiving grip remains steady as I growl, “Maven Alcock.”
Her brown eyes begin to water at the same time her pale face reddens.
“We had it on good authority to believe you would swing by to pick up your paycheck.” Pressure increases to the area. “Magitek not paying enough?”
She frantically pats at my arm, hoping to break the hold, which is almost comical. The woman—who appears to be completely human aside from her faint smell of peppermints—couldn’t possibly weigh more than a hundred pounds. Fuck, she could be in a fully functioning Mr. Freeze costume and that still wouldn’t put her past a buck twenty. Even if I didn’t have additional strength from being fated, I could easily trap her like this. I’m fairly certain I’ve moved logs during lumberjack competitions heavier than her.
Her tiny bird like lips move to speak in spite of her inability to do so.
“I know they’re not.” Amusement flickers in my glare. “I’ve seen your bank account.” My head tilts in a judgmental fashion. “You’d think for risking your life, they’d at least properly compensate you. I, personally, don’t think a pool would’ve been too much to ask for.”
Tears begin filling the brims of her eyes alongside fear.
Shame.
Regret.
Unfortunately for me, the decision to let her live or die at this moment is stolen from me.
Bait!
The warning from my ancient goes off a split second too late. There’s no time to step aside or superhero bend to avoid being stabbed by a needle in my still tender neck. On injection, an earth trembling scream rips through the parking area, shattering not only my grip on the target but several car windows as well. Alarms flood the space, adding to the commotion, yet my instinct shifts to feed on the noise.
The chaos.
Ripping the needle out of the sensitive skin is swiftly followed by a sharp turn to jam it back into whatever assailant attacked me to begin with. The nimble response isn’t expected leaving the pointy-eared bastard completely vulnerable to enduring the same treatment he delivered. Despite not being poisoned by the contents, the stabbing to a vital area, stumbles him to the ground, momentarily destabilizing him.
“How is she still standing?!” Maven croaks from somewhere behind me. “You said it would knock her out instantly!”
Rather than give him an opportunity to explain, I stomp down on his crotch crushing any delicate dangling parts underneath my substantial strength. His howls bring a satisfied grin to my face until I realize that they sound muted.
That his face is becoming a bit fuzzy.
Concluding that whatever was in the vile is now hijacking my system becomes the only possibility when I move my frame to go after Maven a second time and don’t progress an inch. Being paralyzed in place instills a level of panic that prompts my heart to race and a cold sweat to streak itself along my spine. Air suddenly struggles to reach my lungs, leaving them burning, and screaming like the bones I can no longer move.
Internal commands for help, for direction, for a magical solution are all desperately launched at my ancient side only to be met by absolute silence.
Silence that we unwillingly share less than ten seconds later.
Ptur
Wrong.
Platinum’s one grunted word diverts my attention away from my shoes to the opening elevator door. Rather than make any effort to move towards it, I survey the scene from where I am, noting my missing secretary and the faint scent of peppermint.
Mate.
Smashing my hand on the scanner is done in tandem to me pulling out my phone to summon security to investigate.
Wrong.
I’m going.
Mate!
I heard you! I’m fucking moving, aren’t I?
Faster!
What the hell do you want me to do? Shift in the elevator completely destroying it and soar the rest of the way down?
Yes.
You’re being ridiculous, even for you.
Gone!
What the fuck do you mean gone?!
Gone!
The huffed information is followed by familiar restlessness. Dread smashes itself between my lungs while I try to bark orders at Truxxton during the descent back the direction I just came from. Ending the call doesn’t occur so much as simply abandoning my device in the elevator and darting out to examine the lifeless body in the middle of the connected parking garage. Obviously, it’s not Cami’s—I’m still here and if she were dead, I wouldn’t be—however, the faint scent of peppermints, blood, and campfire smoke tells me that the being at my feet should be grateful I can’t kill him twice for attacking my Fated Mate.
Three times for assisting in her disappearance.
He should consider himself lucky that I let him stay fucking dead rather than hiring a necromancer to drag him back to this point of existence just so I can fucking mutilate him the way it appears my better half began to before she was taken.