Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
“How is she doing?” I ask, grateful to think of anything other than Saint. The vampire queen’s pregnancy is certainly more hopeful than my potential mate’s current state of mind.
Fear grips my heart. What if that’s why he’s upset? What if Samuel told him something that proves this mark belongs to Samuel, not Saint? I rub the mark self-consciously. That’s not possible, right? Not after everything that’s happened between me and Saint.
“She’s doing quite well,” Gabriel says. “Still in the early stages, but so far so good.”
The news brings me back to the present, stopping my spiral mid-spin. I need to focus. If I don’t, I’ll lose myself to my thoughts and that’s something I really don’t want to do right now.
“Shall we?” he asks, motioning toward the other side of his offices where he has his gathering of nocturnal plants for me.
“Yes, please.”
Two hours later, and I’ve managed to either heal or kill over two dozen plants.
“You’re advancing remarkably,” Gabriel says. “I really think we should try on flesh and blood subjects now. Willing participants, of course.”
Panic streaks through me. “I can’t.” I shake my head. “I kill things.” I point to the dead gardenias, black and lifeless in their soil.
“Yes, but you were trying to kill those this time. It wasn’t by chance.”
I bite my bottom lip. He’s not wrong, but there’s still this giant question mark over my abilities and how well I have them under control. “I don’t think I could live with myself if I hurt someone. Even if they did volunteer.”
“I understand,” Gabriel says. “But these are dark times right now. The war is reaching a crescendo we’ve feared for years now. I’m worried about the number of bodies that will fill my room soon.” He looks out his opened door, where his hospital-like operating room sits just beyond his office. “Having a healer would help the workload.” He looks back to me, smiling softly.
Hope shakes away some of the fear, but sadness and confusion are right on the borders. Still no word from Saint. And by the way he was acting, I’m not sure if I’ll get one. Which is super unfair, in my opinion.
“If it comes to that,” I say. “And there are lives at stake, I’ll do everything I can to help you.”
Gabriel nods. “And you’ll do incredible. I know you will.”
“You can tell that from my work on plants?”
“I can tell that because we’ve been practicing. I’ve told you before, harnessing your abilities is ninety percent intention, and I’ve spent enough time with you to know you wouldn’t hurt anyone who didn’t deserve it.”
My heart warms at my teacher’s confidence in me. “I hope you’re right.”
“I usually am.” He shrugs. “Ask anyone.”
I huff a laugh. “Thank you, for tonight.” He nods at me as I move to leave, feeling exhaustion from the practice session in the depths of my bones.
I pause when I find Dagon outside my chambers, not Saint.
“Can we talk?” he asks.
“Sure.” I head through my door, hating that my eyes immediately go to the armchair near my bed, the one Saint usually occupies. It’s empty.
“Heard about Samuel,” Dagon says, leaving the door open behind him. He leans against the frame.
“Did you hear anything more than the simple fact that Saint saw him?”
Dagon nods.
Anger returns. “Then that’s more than I got.”
“He’s trying to protect you.”
I glare up at him.
Dagon laughs. “Okay, I know that’s a pathetic excuse. But, in his defense, he’s cared about very few things in his life. You’re one of them. The idea of anything happening to you sends him into a spin.”
“Well, he should spin toward me if he cares about me. God knows he’s seen me spiral at my worst. I want to be there for him.”
“Then don’t give up on him. I’ve been his brother for centuries. He’s a stubborn prick most of the time, but to the people who don’t let him push them away, he opens up. I’m sure he’ll open up more to you…” His voice trails off, his eyes lingering on the mark on my neck. He clears his throat. “Samuel is going after the vote for the throne. Claimed he’s collected almost enough to overthrow Alek.”
I gasp, shaking my head. “He shouldn’t be anywhere near that kind of power.”
“Agreed.” He sighs. “Saint will kill me if I tell you more.”
“But you’re going to anyway, aren’t you?” I beg.
He rubs his palms over his face. “Samuel said the last vote he needs is yours.”
I scoff. “I would never give him my vote.”
“Wouldn’t you though?” Dagon eyes me, and my blood runs cold. “If someone you loved were in danger?”
The air punches from my lungs. “He threatened to use Saint against me.”
“Bingo.”
“That’s why he’s being a dick.” I huff a broken laugh. “He wants to push me away. Again. Even after…” I shake my head. “Well, tough shit.”