Total pages in book: 401
Estimated words: 390373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1952(@200wpm)___ 1561(@250wpm)___ 1301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 390373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1952(@200wpm)___ 1561(@250wpm)___ 1301(@300wpm)
The grandeur of the Luxe became clear the moment we entered. The roads were wider—vast enough for carriages to pass one another—and lit by lamps that cast a bright yellow glow onto the clean, smooth stone sidewalks lined with large pots overflowing with flowers. Lawns and carriageways in front of two- and three-story homes were near replicas of one another, all painted in varying shades of cream and ivory and brightly lit from within. They had spacious, walled courtyards in the back, too.
Wealthy mortals and the Ascended lived like Kings compared to the rest of the capital, where luxuries like open spaces, electricity, and clean, running water weren’t even a consideration, let alone affordable. Even Stonehill paled in comparison. But the districts of Croft’s Cross and Lowertown, where most of those within Carsodonia lived in dilapidated homes and overcrowded apartments overflowing with disease and hopelessness, felt like they existed in a different realm altogether compared to the luxurious Garden District and its most elite neighborhoods.
I expected nothing less from the Ascended. But how could mortals live like this while others had so little? Perhaps it was because they believed they were different. Better. Blessed. More deserving than others. In reality, even with their fancy homes and fat coin purses, they were nothing more than cattle to the Ascended.
Movement caught my attention, pulling me from my thoughts. I spotted a blackish-gray wolven ahead, blending into the sweetly scented shadows. And then I saw the armor and sword glinting under the moonlight.
Guards cloaked in white mantles embossed with gold Atlantian Crests stood watch along the lane, mostly placed before homes inhabited by the Ascended. Those at the entrances inclined their heads as we passed. Sage joined us.
I felt the shift in the air immediately.
It was heavier, pressing down with the weight of a blanket made of stones, and there was a chill in the air that hadn’t been there moments before. Those weren’t the only differences, though.
The street was dark as if no power ran to the streetlamps, but I could see that several homes—almost all—were lit from within.
“We’re here,” Emil announced. “Well, we’re at the first home.”
To our right, I spotted the tall figure of Naill La’Crox. Gods, when had I seen him last? The battle at the Bone Temple? I slowed Setti as the Elemental Atlantian broke away from the group and approached.
“I was surprised when Hisa said you were right behind her,” Naill said, glancing at Emil. “You two took him away from our Queen?”
One side of my lips quirked up as I drew Setti to a stop. I approved of where Naill’s thoughts had gone.
“Kieran and Hisa believed he needed to see this,” Emil answered, bringing his horse to a halt. “And I agreed.”
“She’s not alone,” I assured Naill as I swung a leg over the saddle, landing beside a large urn that appeared empty except for dirt. “Kieran and Delano are with her.”
As I turned to face the Atlantian, he jerked to a stop, his eyes widening. Since everyone who saw me had about the same reaction, I knew he’d noticed the brighter eather in my eyes. He glanced at Emil, who lifted a shoulder.
Stepping forward, I clapped a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “Show me what has happened here.”
The grass crunched under our feet as Naill led us across the lawn and circular carriageway. Unease was etched into his rich-brown features. “What do you know so far?”
“That we have dead Ascended on our hands,” I answered, looking up at the large, two-story stucco home painted a pale cream. There weren’t many windows—only two on the first floor, framing the entryway, and the same above, set next to the door that led to the balcony. A soft, buttery light from either a candle or a gas lamp filled the panes. “Not how or why.”
“How they died will seem obvious,” Naill said as Sage brushed past him, her shoulders damn near reaching his hips. He gave her a brief smile that didn’t reach his golden eyes, then faced the house. “Hisa went inside this one.”
As we walked onto the veranda, I immediately noticed that something had blown the bulbs inside the wrought-iron sconces on either side of the double doors.
Glancing down the street once more, I saw verandas lit by the soft glow of entry lights. Except for the one right next door and another across the street.
Naill walked ahead of me, opening one side of the doors to a wide foyer. My gaze flickered around. A gas lantern had been placed on a nearby table by a settee. A rounded doorway to our left led to what I suspected was a sitting room. Halls were on either side of the two marble staircases.
“Careful, Sage,” Naill advised, striding toward another door in the middle of the staircase wall. “There’s glass.”