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)
The larger buildings began to fade in the darkness, and soon cottages came into view, scattered throughout the trees. Jonathan gestured toward a large two-story cabin set against what looked like a huge snow berm. “Many of our mated couples and their families have staked out homesteads.”
Lyrica rubbed her cheek, immediately reminded of the whisker burn from Vero. “The homesteads look nice. This is a lot of territory, even though we’re living in the middle of the mountains. Does the Canadian government ever come around?”
“No.” Jonathan’s purple eyes sparkled. “We pay our taxes, and we own the land outright. Every once in a while, we may have to make a threat or two—and believe me, we know how to do that—but it’s rare.”
“I’m glad it’s rare.” Lyrica swallowed the lump rising in her throat.
The makeshift trail narrowed even more, and Jonathan leaned forward as if concentrating on driving. Lyrica watched the trees whip by outside. “How fast are you going, anyway?” she asked, more curious than anything else.
“About one hundred fifty miles per hour,” Jonathan said absently. “We tweaked these to suit our needs. Do you want me to go faster?”
Lyrica reached for the seat belt to cross over her chest and fasten. “Nope. We’re good. Don’t need to go faster.” Sometimes she wondered if these guys remembered that not everybody lived forever. She glanced at Jonathan. “You told me that you’re over a hundred years old, right?”
“I’m about a century and a half, give or take twenty years,” he said, speeding up slightly. “I never paid much attention to that kind of thing.”
“You don’t celebrate birthdays?” She frowned at the thought.
He shook his head. “I think that’s a human thing. Well, apparently a vampire and demon one too, but no, that’s never been part of our culture. We do have festivals through the year, though. There’ll be a fun winter one coming up in what? About five weeks?” He glanced back at Lukas.
“Oh yeah. I’ve already asked Genevieve to be my date,” Lukas said happily. He rummaged near his seat. “I’m starving. Did you bring anything to eat?”
Jonathan sighed, reached into the side pocket of the UTV door, and tossed back three granola bars.
Lukas caught them and tore into one immediately. “I’m still growing,” he said defensively, crumbs scattering.
Jonathan smirked. “I know.” He glanced at Lyrica. “So, you and Vero, huh?” His attempt at small talk startled her.
The unexpected attention made Lyrica laugh despite herself. “I don’t know.”
“Yeah, that sounds like romance to me,” Jonathan teased.
She turned the question back on him. “Are you seeing anybody?”
He shook his head. “Never had much luck with the ladies. Being kicked in the head and all.”
She fought the urge to pat his arm. The Kurjans always seemed so restrained. “You know, a two hundred IQ is still beyond the extraordinary genius level. It’s considered off the charts for humans.”
Jonathan cut her a look.
She frowned. “Hey. Humans are smart.”
Lukas mumbled through a mouthful of granola bar. “Isn’t their average IQ around one hundred?”
“I think so,” Lyrica said. “Above average is one-twenty. Einstein was about one-sixty.”
“Poor Einstein,” Jonathan muttered, shaking his head. “Was he kicked in the head too?”
She rolled her eyes, fighting the urge to smack her hand against her forehead. “No. He was a genius.”
“Oh yeah, for humans.” Jonathan took another sharp turn. “I believe Ralstad and Maeve claimed one of these cabins farther into the trees.” He glanced around. “I think I’m going the right way.”
Lukas slapped him on the arm. “It’s up that way,” he mumbled.
Jonathan cocked his head. “I see it.” He slowed the vehicle as the trail curved into a dense grove of snow-laden trees.
Lyrica squinted through the storm, struggling to make out the faint outline of a cabin ahead. It didn’t seem fair that Kurjans had superior eyesight. “Out of curiosity,” she began, “if a human mates a Kurjan, do they get better eyesight?”
“I don’t think so,” Jonathan said, his tone thoughtful. “They get immortality and sometimes their mate’s gifts. If you have a psychic Kurjan, the mate might become psychic, too. But I think that takes centuries to evolve. I don’t know about eyesight, though.”
“Huh.” She shifted in her seat. It would be nice to have bionic vision—if that was even a thing.
Lukas slowly unwrapped another granola bar. “Mates also develop the ability to communicate telepathically.”
“Really?” She turned to him. “I’ve never heard that.” Truthfully, she hadn’t been let in on many of the Kurjan secrets. The more she thought about it, the more unsettled she felt. How much about Vero did she not know? And how much did she want to know?
Lukas nodded, shoving half the bar into his mouth. “I’ve heard that the skill takes centuries to evolve, but there are a few who get it right away. I don’t think I want anybody reading my mind all day.”