Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 58532 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 293(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58532 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 293(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
“You know that event Holland was trying to get Kylie to go to?” I toss out. “Well, we followed the bastard there to scope it out. And it wasn’t some networking bullshit like he was selling. It was a preview for the upcoming auction.”
Kylie stiffens. “For an auction?”
“Yeah,” Cal says. “It’s called the Selection. The vampire elite get to buy the human woman of their choice. It’s been going on for way too damn long.”
Kylie’s hand tightens in Rook’s shirt, and shock turns the corners of her mouth down. I don’t blame her. She was supposed to be there. In fact, there were three men in her driveway that morning trying to make damn sure she attended, and if we hadn’t dispatched them, they would have.
“We just stayed in the shadows,” Cal adds. “Listened.”
“Selection’s coming up soon, by the way,” I chime in. “No official date yet, but it’ll be in New York. Apparently, it’s all planned, and they give forty-eight-hour notice to keep the secrecy intact.”
Rook sighs and runs a hand through his hair. But when Kylie pales, he wraps his arms around her body and holds her closer to his chest.
“They don’t know what it really is,” I say. “The women preparing for it. Every single one at that event was naïve to the reality.”
“They think it’s elevation of status. A privilege. They think they’re being fucking chosen,” Cal adds. “They were calling it The Choosing Mixer.”
“Fuck me,” Rook mutters. “And yet, they’re being sold.” His voice is flat. “Anyone we would consider an ally in that room? Any good vamps at all?”
Cal shakes his head immediately. “Not a single fucking one.”
“So…how does Blair come into this?” Rook asks, his eyes meeting mine. “I mean, how the fuck did you end up bringing her here?”
“She was there. At the preview.” I don’t hesitate. “And I could read her intent.”
Rook raises a brow.
“She was naïve,” I continue. “Excited, even, to be chosen. She had no idea what any of them has planned.”
“But as you already said, most of them don’t,” Rook says evenly.
“Yeah,” I admit. “But this one is mine. I felt it immediately. She’s my destined.”
“What are the fucking odds.” Rook sighs and shakes his head. “Not only did we take two women they thought belonged to them, but both are blood of the three.”
I laugh. I can’t help it. “We’re pretty fucked now. I mean, we were fucked when you took Kylie, but now we’re, like, really fucked.”
“Yeah. All thanks to you two bastards, I’ve got the elites wanting my head on a silver platter.” Cal runs a hand over his mouth and lets out a deep chuckle. “And I don’t even have a fated mate by my side to show for it.”
I huff a short laugh. “My fated mate is currently locked in my bedroom upstairs because she’s trying to escape me. Let’s not act like it’s all rainbows and sunshine on this side of things.”
Kylie grins. “I wasn’t exactly nice to Rook at first.”
“Pretty sure I deserved it, baby.” Rook laughs, pressing a kiss to Kylie’s forehead as he does.
“Okay.” Cal smirks. “Fair.”
“Probably be thankful,” I mutter.
Kylie shifts in Rook’s lap, studying me. “So, she doesn’t understand any of it, then? What really happens there?”
“No,” I say. “She doesn’t.”
“Well, what’s done is done, and we can’t go back. Still, we need a clear picture. Anything else you need to get off your chest, Kane?” Rook asks. “No extra bodies you forgot to tell us about? No additional women you took without permission?”
“No, dickhead,” I say through a laugh. “Nothing else like that.”
“You’re holding something back.” Rook furrows his brow as he looks at me. “What aren’t you saying right now?”
“Well…when she’s near me,” I say slowly, “I don’t just read intent. I can stop it.”
Cal tilts his head.
“What do you mean?” Rook asks.
“If the intent is reckless. Or naïve. Or coming from fear. I can interrupt it. Well, at least hers.”
“Like you interrupted her screams?” Kylie says softly.
I nod.
Rook glances at Kylie again.
They don’t speak, but I can tell they are communicating.
“You can hear her,” I state. “Like, completely hear her thoughts.”
Prior to Kylie, Rook had been able to read minds, but he had to have permission from the person before being able to get inside their head. And it also wasn’t that reliable. But right now, it feels like he and Kylie are having a full-blown conversation that no one can hear but them.
“Yes,” Rook admits. “And she can hear mine.”
“Holy shit,” I mutter. “Fated mates is fucking crazy.”
“I don’t know because I haven’t experienced it yet.” Cal sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “But I’m a little worried if I do find my fated mate anytime soon, our ship is going to be sailing through some pretty rough waters.”
I laugh and walk over to offer Cal a friendly slap to his shoulder. “Who knows? Maybe your fated mate won’t be blood of the three. Maybe she’ll just be a random girl you meet in the grocery store or some shit.”