Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 165618 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 828(@200wpm)___ 662(@250wpm)___ 552(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 165618 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 828(@200wpm)___ 662(@250wpm)___ 552(@300wpm)
He was right.
What had happened with Tanyn and I was none of his business. What would happen between Tanyn and I was also none of his business.
Except it was.
Nayden would form opinions. I surely would tick him off again, because I surely would tick Tanyn off again.
And he’d side with Tanyn every time.
I was completely at one with that.
“You know my schedule?” I queried.
“You work nine to five. The gallery opens at ten. You have three sales associates, but there are only three of you in the gallery at one time. One SA shift is ten to six, the other eleven to seven, when the gallery closes. And Tanyn expects you back in Sky’s Edge Wednesday night.”
“I’ll be going to work Wednesday at eight so I can leave at four.”
He nodded, but said, “I’ve been informed you like to walk to and from work. That will not be happening anymore.”
I wasn’t sure if he was asserting a kind of control to punish me for doing something stupid and hurting his friend, or if this was an added security measure.
Since we were deepening into autumn and things were getting very nippy, I didn’t fight this because undoubtedly, they’d have a luxurious craft I didn’t have to pilot that would whisk me to and from work, so why would I?
“Works for me,” I told him. “How many are in your crew?”
“There are ten here. We’re stationed at the embassy. Your detail will vary from six to eight, mostly on a random basis so anyone watching cannot predict how many will be on you. You’re taking the antidote?”
I nodded. Tanyn had left me a bottle.
“We are too. You have my sequence?”
I nodded again.
“Any other questions?” he asked.
I shook my head.
“Let me know when you’re ready to go,” he said, then walked to stand at the windows, looking up, down, and all around.
He didn’t like me.
Oh well.
I might win him over. I might not.
The only thing I could do was be me.
But he took his assignment seriously.
So that was good.
And right now, it was all I needed.
It was two hours later.
I was in my office, sorting payroll, when my Palm lit up with an audio comm from Tanyn.
I took it immediately.
“Hey, honey.”
“Cormac has flatly refused returning Gayle to the Fall, even with Aleksei and I both sharing we’ll provide her with security,” he said instead of greeting me, and I could tell he was still pissed.
I would know just how much when he continued.
“Therefore, we’re talking to Bainon about a tri-realm extraction.”
I stared at his face on my screen, stunned.
“Really?” I pushed out when he said no more.
“We’re roping in Bainon so neither Cormac nor King Niall can get their backs up about a military operation carried out on Land’s End soil. Both Aleksei and I were very clear with Mac about our expectations, Aleksei having more pull because Gayle is Fallian, and Cormac already engaged in an unsanctioned military operation on Night’s Fall soil when he took her. Cormac isn’t budging. So we have no choice.”
They did.
They had a choice.
This was, or it could be, huge.
“What if they freak out and make a big stink about it?” I asked.
“That’s why we’re involving Bainon. All three realms working together to return a citizen of the Falls to her rightful home will make a statement they can’t fight back on. If Mac or Niall kick up a fuss, we’ll be sure to release the details of Gayle’s abduction. But if they just let it happen, no one will know about it at all. Bottom line, Cormac taking her, being fated to her, forcing their nearness but refusing to claim her, even if he feels she’s under threat, won’t play good for him in the media. Since he won’t care about that, more to the point, it won’t play well for the Earthsabre Dynasty.”
This was playing serious hardball.
“Tanyn—”
“If he wants her,” he bit out, “all he has to do is claim her. Not imprison her, monitor her comms, limit them and force her to endure the presence of a mate who does not want her. This isn’t contemporary pushback to traditional cultural expectations, like the demon’s marriage contract. This is not okay, Cat. And I believe you agree with me.”
I did.
But I expected him to put pressure on Cormac to do the right thing, not send the Blood Scythe in with warriors from the Fall and the Break to go get her.
This could be an international incident, or another one not far on the heels of the troll attack.
Though, it couldn’t be denied, Cormac had already instigated the same just kidnapping her.
“And I’m guessing Aleksei and Bainon agree with you too,” I deduced.
“I’m angry. So is Bain. However, it’s fair to say Aleksei is livid. But he has his mate and Gayle is her best friend. As I have deep feelings for you, and she’s your best friend too, I understand his reaction.”