Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 125083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
“‘Rude’ is what you have been. And unnecessarily so.” She came closer, swaying her hips. “I have been asleep for over three centuries. Surely you missed me just a little.”
He sighed. “If you need someone to shine your ego, I suggest you find Solomon.”
She made a face. “He gives me my own way in everything. He does not push back or demand to be counted. Not like you. You always challenged me. I need that in a man. Need someone who is my equal.”
Cain gave her a bored look. “Do you really think I’m going to fall for this? It’s not like I fell for it last time you came to me swearing that you wanted a true partnership.” He’d almost laughed, recognizing it for the lie that it was.
“I do want us to be equals, I just do not know how to have a relationship like that. You could show me—”
“Why are you pushing this when there are dozens of men out there who’ll tell you exactly what you want to hear?”
“Because they do not know me. You might look down on me in some ways, but at least you know me. See me. Sometimes we just need to be seen. And you … you are the first person I thought of when I woke. The person I most looked forward to talking with. But you won’t even make time for me. You won’t even give us a chance.”
“And what would be the point, Ishtar? You like to be seen. Until you don’t. Until you want to pretend you’re not riddled with flaws and vulnerabilities like everyone else, and so you then lash out at the people closest to you to drive them away. I’m not signing up for that.”
“All I ever wanted—”
“Was me on a leash, just like the souls you own,” he finished. “That’s never going to happen.”
She studied him hard. “You are different than you were before I chose to Rest. You hear everything I am saying, but you are not touched by it, are you? It’s not even that you don’t care, it’s that you can’t.” She swallowed. “I remember that stage. Emotion often just slips right off you. It does not always take hold.” She took a step toward him. “You can talk to me, you know.” She sighed when he didn’t speak. “But you won’t, will you?”
No. She’d never been someone he confided in. Not even when they shared a bed.
“Have you ever really trusted anyone, Cain?”
“Yes.” Very few of those people hadn’t let him down.
Sorrow lined her face. “But I am not one of them, am I?”
“I’m not buying the oh-so sad act. You don’t trust me any more than I trust you.”
Her face went hard in an instant. “Fine.” She notched up her pointed chin. “If you change your mind about tomorrow evening, I will be at home.”
Yeah, and if he turned up to escort her anywhere, she’d sniff at him and declare that she’d already procured someone else to accompany her.
She flounced off, putting extra sway in her hips.
Unmoved, he looked away.
Maxim reappeared, his lips thin. “Again, Sire, I’m sorry that Ishtar—”
Cain waved off the unnecessary apology. “It’s fine, Maxim.” He stretched out his legs. “Tell me … where’s my new witch? The Priestess who insists she isn’t a Priestess.”
He blinked. “The Bloodrose coven moved into the cottage between the quarreling lycan packs, Sire. I heard …”
Cain arched a brow. “Yes?”
Maxim briefly averted his gaze. “Grouch has announced to one and all that she intends to hex his shop.”
“Hex his shop?”
“He refused to hire her, and she apparently made it clear that he would lose custom. I don’t believe she’d do as he claims, though,” Maxim quickly added.
“No, she’s smarter than that,” Cain agreed. A hex would have not only the berserkers turning on her but the town’s population reluctant to trust her. Wynter didn’t strike him as a person who’d recklessly make enemies or isolate her coven.
“She probably meant to do exactly what she’s done—rile him.”
“Perhaps.” Cain paused. “I wouldn’t have expected her to seek a job at a blacksmith’s shop.”
“Having spent twenty minutes with Wynter and her coven, I would say they’re the type of people who will do many things we won’t expect.”
“My gut would agree with you on that.” Cain pushed to his feet. “Bring her to me, Maxim.”
The aide stilled. “You’re not … you’re not going to discipline her, are you?”
“No, I don’t believe Grouch’s claims.” Cain felt a smile tug at his mouth. “But she doesn’t know that, does she?”
Nibbling on her lower lip, Anabel handed Wynter a box of vials. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather give them something lethal?”
“They’re being loud, not threatening,” said Wynter.
Anabel looked toward the living room window that gave them a clear view of their quarreling neighbors. “But they have claws and fangs and can shift into monstrous beasts.”