Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55109 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55109 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
“He doesn’t dare, though, does he. Because I’m not his. And even if you wouldn’t kill him for touching me, Nina would. He can’t do anything about me.”
“You do need to learn to control your power,” Cosmos reminds me in the midst of my gloating.
“Maybe. Or maybe I just need to not drink half a decanter of spirits. It’s not as if I’ve had a problem with spontaneously appearing magical blades before. It’s probably just stress related.”
“This isn’t a bout of IBS,” Cosmos reminds me. “It’s a power that makes you a potential force for good in the world.”
“Sure, yes, because fiery blades are always constructive. Who knows, if I hit the tequila, maybe I can come up with some kind of angelic nuke and create world peace.” I snort, this is all so ridiculous. Even when I allow myself to believe in it, it’s just silly.
“You were slicing reality like cheese and you’re not interested in repeating the experiment?”
Smart man. He’s speaking my language. Trying to lure me in with science talk. But it’s not going to work. Except I think it might already have worked.
“I think repeating the experiment would involve more brandy and outrage.”
“And I think you’ve had enough of both for one day. It’s time to get some breakfast.”
Cosmos
“I do not want to go for a run.”
We’ve had breakfast, and she’s been sick. She’s looking a little pale, but there’s no time like the present to get started. Elise is sweet, and she’s smart, but she’s also the kind of spoiled you get with only-children who’ve never been in a relationship and who only have to worry about themselves. She doesn’t do anything she doesn’t want to do.
“You need to increase your fitness to outrun killers.”
“I’m never going to be able to outrun a man, so why try?”
She’s impeccably logical, this brat of a bride of mine.
“In a straight sprint, possibly not. But there are times it is advantageous to be able to move faster than a shuffle.”
“But…”
“Elise. Sweetheart. I’ve been very patient with you, but I promise you I will spank your ass so hard you can’t sit down if you don’t start doing as you’re told.”
“You stuffed me into a trunk. Not exactly patient.”
“Would have thought that’d teach a smart girl like you a lesson in obedience.”
“Everybody has a weakness somewhere. I guess mine is… ow!” She gasps as my palm meets her ass. “God, fuck, OW!” The second curse comes with the second slap. She knows I’ll spank her good and hard, I’m not sure why she’s pushing this. Maybe the interview with Bryn made her think we are allies against his dark authority — we are, but that doesn’t mean she can get away with being lazy.
“Let’s go. Three times around the grounds.”
Her pout is cute. Her butt in the tight-fitting running clothes is even cuter. It’s going to be hard to keep myself from spanking her. I suppose I don’t really need to worry about holding back. She more than deserves everything she gets.
We make it once around the grounds, barely.
She can only jog about two minutes before her face is bright red and she’s gasping for breath and begging for respite. Not exactly a physical specimen, but I already knew that, and she’s cute as a button anyway.
“I’m not made for this,” she gasps, hands on her knees. “I’m not going to survive this. Leave me here.”
Elise
“Outside the front door? You little drama queen,” he laughs, picking me up. My husband carries me over the threshold of Direview and back toward the basement arena of weapons training. I can’t believe he expects me to keep exercising. Can’t he tell I’m not made for this? I belong at a desk, sitting in a chair with lumbar support, slowly destroying my eyesight.
“I’m really very done. I’m hungover. I’m…”
“I know. I know. Quit whining.”
I shut up while I’m ahead. Cosmos takes me downstairs to the training arena, a room engineered to provide optimal conditions for well-muscled men to beat the hell out of each other. I’m even less up for this than I was for running.
“I know you’re on the verge of being sick again,” he tells me. “Today we’re going to learn about your power, so next time Bryn lectures you about it, you can at least know what you’re talking shit about. Crichton!”
He summons the demon, who, as usual, just comes in via the door like any human would.
“How can I help you, Master Cosmos?”
“What do we know about angelic blades, Crichton?”
“Little is known, as their presence on earth has been regarded as mythical even by those who believe. It is said that an angelic blade can only be wielded by one pure of mind and heart, someone with singular intention and righteous fury.”
“So it’s like we thought. I have to be drunk, and or pissed off.”