Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Something warmed him throughout. He’d wondered what she thought.
“At least, I’m fairly certain,” she said dryly. “Now, back to my little PowerPoint presentation here.”
Vero shook his head. It was preposterous and frankly a little insulting to think that his people had been reduced to a PowerPoint presentation. He’d never even heard of PowerPoint until Lyrica had insisted on installing it on the few computers currently in the territory. An entire computer bank and upgraded system should be installed soon, and Vero would be damned before he put PowerPoint on his hard drive.
However, Lyrica seemed right at home and well-settled with the organization of the entire presentation. She did like to be organized, didn’t she? In fact, her bossiness in that area was cute. Very.
A curvy brunette raised her hand from one of the sofas.
“Yes?” Lyrica asked.
“Did you say shifter? As in humans who shift into animals, like in the movies?”
Lyrica turned from the screen. “I’ve never seen one, but I’m assured that there are immortals who look human and turn into felines, wolves, bears, and even dragons.” She shrugged. “The dragon part might be myth. I can’t tell.”
The female who’d asked the question shook her head. “This is unreal. So, another question. Why are the Kurjans so pale?” she asked. “I saw one the other day who had a strip of white hair bisecting the scalp and down his back. He was really creepy.”
Lyrica nodded. “Those are the Cyst. They’re the spiritual leaders, and I think the top soldiers for the Kurjan nation. Not many of them stayed when the Kurjans decided to ally with the other species. They’re so pale because until a short time ago, Kurjans and Cysts couldn’t go out in the sun without being fried.”
“And now they can?” the platinum blonde asked.
“Yes,” Lyrica said. “Their scientists came up with a way for them to do so. So now they can go out into the sun anytime they want.”
That wasn’t exactly true, but Vero chose not to disabuse her of the notion about the Sunshine Cure. For a time, they’d thought they could genetically enhance embryos in utero but had soon learned that protection only lasted a few years. Then those toddlers required inoculations like the rest of them. Right now, they still had to limit their time in the sun. While better than years before, too much exposure would still kill many of his people. He was able to withstand more sunlight than most and actually enjoyed it. Every minute he spent in the sun darkened his skin just a little bit. He had no doubt someday his people would be able to spend as much time outdoors as the other species.
Another hand rose.
“Yes, Lucy?” Lyrica asked.
“What if we…I mean, what if we want to be immortal?” Lucy asked quietly.
Lyrica smiled. “That’s definitely an option. And it’s completely up to you. We are going to do some speed dating with the Kurjan soldiers here with anybody who’s interested. If you’re not, no worries.”
The idea of speed dating also felt like an insult. Vero frowned and the female closest to him moved down her couch as if afraid he’d bite her.
Lyrica watched the movement. Then she looked at him and faltered. Blinked. Shook her head and returned to her presentation.
So he did affect her.
She cleared her throat. “Also, Kurjan blood usually burns other species, so if you see an injured Kurjan, don’t rush to help.”
“Usually?” another blonde asked.
Lyrica tapped the control against her jeans. “Yes. It appears that true mates to Kurjans aren’t burned by their blood.”
“Blood?” a forty-something brunette asked. “You said that nobody drinks blood. So why do they have fangs?”
Lyrica frowned. “Um—”
“We do drink blood,” Vero said quietly. “Any immortal can take the blood of humans or other immortal species without a problem. We only do so if we’re injured, or during sex. We don’t need to drink blood as a food source, and a mate never needs to do so unless she’s injured. Also, Lyrica is correct that Kurjan blood does burn the skin of most other immortals and humans, unless we’re a fated mate.”
Lyrica’s head jerked up, and her gaze met his. She quickly looked away.
“This is all fascinating, but what if we want to get the hell out of here?” the platinum blonde snapped.
Lyrica nodded. “I completely understand. As soon as we make sure you’re healthy and you sign the NDA, we’ll take you anywhere you want and give you a million dollars. If you want to be somebody other than who you were, we’ll also give you a brand-new identity.”
“And the million bucks?” the blonde asked.
“Absolutely,” Lyrica said. “Regardless of whether you want to stay or go, you are free to call anybody from your life to let them know you’re all right. But you must come up with a cover story about why you’ll be out of town for a few more days.” She winced. “As well as where you’ve been since you were taken.”