Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 105144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 350(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 350(@300wpm)
She’s a witch, she mouths, not in a protective way, but in a the-gig-will-be-up kinda way.
“I want to see her,” the man demands and makes a small motion to the bodyguards. They both move their hands to their weapons and the man leans forward, almost snarling. And everyone backs away.
Again…what the ever-loving fuck is going on?
“Don’t forget what happens if you break the agreement, hunter,” the man spits, using the word hunter as an insult. “I don’t think your fellow members will appreciate it.”
“He’s right, Marco,” Darcy says solemnly.
“Florence is…” Vivian starts. “Exceptional. The best hunter the Order has ever seen.”
“Hmmm,” the man ponders. “Is that why she was left off the report? You didn’t want to lose your best hunter? Now, where is she?”
“I’m right here, asshole,” I say. The man looks up, and his dark eyes pierce mine. I take in a sharp breath, but I get no air. There’s something familiar in his gaze, yet different and dangerous.
“There she is! That’s Florence,” Larissa tells him loudly, over Marco’s plea for her to stay quiet. “She goes by Wren for short.”
“Florence,” the man echoes as he looks me up and down, inspecting every inch of my body as if I’m a horse at an auction, judged solely on my appearance as to whether or not I’ll make a good ride. “I want her.”
“What?” I ask, slowly shaking my head. No one but Vivian, Marco, and Darcy have any idea what the hell is happening. Gia’s bedroom door creaks open behind me, and I take another few steps forward, coming into the top stair.
“She comes with me, or this house is marked,” the man threatens.
“Marked for what?” Antonio asks, eyes going from the man to his parents and back again. I can read him like a book, and his page is screaming what the fuck in all caps.
“Should you explain it, or should I?” the man asks Marco and only waits a beat before continuing. “Centuries ago, the Order made a deal with my family. We leave each other alone if, every twenty-five years, you give us a female.”
His words only confuse me more. His family? A deal? What?
“Dad,” Leo starts but Marco holds up his hand and silences him. Then he turns to me, and the look in his eyes is all I need to know. I don’t have a choice. I’m going with this man whether I want to or not.
“S-s-someone better explain,” I stammer.
“Xavier Malus doesn’t like to be kept waiting,” the man goes on. “You have three minutes to gather a few personal items.”
“What?” I say, not making sense of anything. Did I hear this guy correctly? What he’s saying makes no sense. Because I know who Xavier Malus is.
A vampire.
A very old, and very powerful vampire with a big vampire “family” if you will. We’ve been told they’re too dangerous, too connected to go after. They’re rumored to operate like a mafia, both underground with other vampires and demons, and with some of the most powerful human families in the country.
“And I’m getting hungry,” the man says and makes a face like he’s going to flash fangs. Wait a minute…does everyone think he’s a vampire? I blink a few times, trying to process it all—and make sure I’m not wrong.
Humans can’t sense energy or magic the way witches can. If this guy is really from the Malus family—no, he wouldn’t be. He’s human. All I know is that right now, something inside of me is saying don’t piss the guy off. Because if he was sent here as a representative of the Malus Family and what he’s saying is true, then there’s no way we’re getting out of this.
The Malus family and the Order will see it through.
Maybe it’s because I was never fully accepted into the Order that I never developed the trauma bond most members seem to have. The Order can threaten most hunters with isolation. But more than that, they can really fuck up your life.
Or kill you.
And that would be the kinder option.
“What is going on?” I ask, head slowly moving back and forth. I can sense Gia trying to creep out of her room.
“I’m so sorry, but it’s better if it’s you,” Vivian says softly. Larissa turns, eyes iced over. She’s always hated me, and now she’s found a way to get rid of me.
“Pack your stuff,” Marco demands, and I only turn to stop Gia from leaving her room. Eyes wide, I walk down the hall.
“Wren? What’s going on?” Gia asks.
“It’s okay,” I tell her. “Let’s get you back in bed and I’ll explain everything.” She nods, hazel eyes filled with worry. I usher her back to her room and pull her quilt over her. “I love you,” I tell her and smooth her hair back, bending over to kiss her forehead. “Somnum,” I whisper and my sister goes right to sleep.