Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 121924 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121924 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Aegeas gestured for Talon to follow him to the nobles. Talon stalked toward them slow and easy; his strong back straight, his solid chest pushed out, his toned arms loose at his sides. He moved with a lupine stealth, like an alpha wolf closing in on its prey.
“Welcome,” said Remus as the nobles all bowed in respect. “As always, it is a pleasure to see you.”
Talon’s only response was a grunt that held a tinge of doubt.
Remus snapped his fingers. At that, several humans nervously rushed toward the newcomers with trays of food and drink.
As Talon grabbed a tankard of what was probably mead, I couldn’t help but stare at him, admiring the faint luminosity beneath all that skin the color of desert sand. His irises were a unique midnight-black dotted by silver and featured gold swishes, making me think of a night sky.
His short, sleek hair was black as a void just like the dusting of stubble that darkened his strong jaw. A thin scar sliced diagonally across his carnal mouth and chin—the only mark on his otherwise unblemished face.
You could never mistake him for human. He was striking in a way that was so very other. Too perfect. Too enticing. Too predatory.
Hearing a chuckle coming from one of his uniformed men, I cut my gaze their way. Everything about them, from their powerful builds to their air of supreme danger, screamed I could end you with my thumb.
They stretched. Ate. Drank. But none moved from their wagons or steeds, busy ensuring that the offerings in the occupied wagons—all of whom would be from the other settlements of Phoenixia—didn’t try to make a run for it.
I looked back at Talon just as he placed his tankard on a tray. He swept an impressed gaze over the town and then flicked up a questioning brow at Remus.
In his shoes, I’d wonder why the settlement looked like a ghost town. We had buildings in various stages of decay. Our water tower was barely standing. There was an awful lot of rust, rot, grime, and overgrown weeds. More, the human population was lower than it should be.
“A plague hit our settlement,” Remus explained, drawing to his full height. “The many tragic deaths obviously led to several problems, particularly since there was a loss of laborers and a slump in trade.”
I frowned. He spoke as though it had happened only months ago. The godkin had had years to repair the place but simply hadn’t bothered.
“We have been focused on recovering from the aftermath,” he added.
Bristling, I felt my brows shoot up. We? Uh, the mortals had focused on it. We’d been responsible for burning every corpse, burying the ashes in pits, scrubbing every building, and training survivors in various trades. The godkin had been of little aid.
Sending an accusing look at Remus, Talon moved his hands this way and that, clearly trying to convey some message.
“This sort of damage comes from long-term neglect,” one of the officiates interpreted, his voice very deep. Long and bulky, he had not one hair on his head. “If you’re finding it too difficult to act as Baron, perhaps it’s time that you were replaced.”
Remus’ trim figure tensed.
“That won’t be necessary, Talon,” Aegeas smoothly cut in. “Remus plans to improve the state of the town now that it’s beginning to recover from the effects of the outbreak.”
Talon let out a skeptical grunt, lowering his arms to his sides.
One might think that there was no way someone who didn’t speak could possibly lead an Order, but he had one of the most expressive faces I’d ever come across. He also had an in-command air that was further accentuated by the dignified upward tilt of his chin.
“Do you think he took an oath of silence?” Aurelia quietly pondered.
“I heard that Vitus denied him the gift of speech when He created him,” said Kemp.
With regards to Talon, there were plenty more rumors where those came from.
“Do you all wish to take a short rest before returning to Deimos?” Remus asked. “Your steeds could surely do with a respite.”
Hardly. Arion horses—much like the Laelaps, for that matter—could go for days without food, water, or rest.
Looking bored, Talon waved a Not necessary hand. He turned away from Aegeas and the nobles, settling his attention on the offerings.
Tensing, I sucked in a breath, resisting the urge to nervously smooth a hand down my thin blue gown that all acolytes wore. I sensed more than saw the others in the line stiffen. I could hear one whispering a prayer to Hellyne, begging Her to save him. But he cut off as Talon began crossing to us with sure, controlled strides.
The male emanated a sense of perilous calm that was somewhat nerve-wracking. Up close, he looked even more impressive. Utterly invincible. Truly, the raw power of him was like nothing else.