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 mark on Vero’s palm pulsed faintly, as if echoing his frustration. He flexed his hand, grimacing. Silas had given him no leads on the experiments with demonesses or the scientists involved in the project. If his uncles and father had eliminated everyone who knew anything, Vero had no idea where else to search for answers. The mark itself—a demon surname starting with C—was another mystery he couldn’t solve. What demon family names began with that letter? What did it mean for him?
Ahead, lights flickered in the dark, and Vero leaned into the ride, picking up speed. He crested a ridge and spotted the scene below. His jaw clenched at the sight. Lukas and Ralstad moved between a nearby cottage and a lifeless figure lying in the snow. Strong floodlights had been affixed to nearby trees, illuminating the entire area.
Jonathan crouched over the frozen body, carefully pouring steaming water around her to melt the ice.
Vero slowed the snowmobile to a stop and jumped off, his fury rekindling as he surveyed the surroundings.
Steam rose as the water hit the ice, and Jonathan worked methodically to free her feet.
The UTV idled nearby, and Lyrica stepped out, her cheeks pink from the cold and her dark hair flecked with melting snow. The sight of her stirred something primal in Vero, the pulse in his palm intensifying with heat. She wrapped her arms around herself and trudged through the snow, teeth chattering. “Do we almost have her free?” she asked, shivering.
“Yes,” Jonathan said without looking up.
Vero’s gaze locked on her, his jaw tightening. “Get back in the UTV. It’s too cold out here.”
“I’m fine,” she retorted, though the blue tinge on her lips told another story.
He stepped toward her, towering over her. “Get back in the UTV, or I’ll put you there myself,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous.
Her glare faltered, and after a tense moment, she spun on her heel and stalked back to the vehicle. “Fine. I want to speak with Maeve, anyway.” She climbed into the driver’s seat with a huff, slamming the door behind her.
Ralstad watched her go, his jaw hard. “That female’s a free spirit.”
“No kidding,” Vero muttered as he crouched beside the body.
Ralstad ducked and began pouring water near the female’s bare thighs. “You should take Lyrica in hand before she comes to harm, Vero.”
Vero narrowed his gaze on the older Kurjan. “Is that a threat?”
“Of course not. It’s a statement.” Ralstad leaned back to study the breaking ice. “We have enemies all around us. Nobody is safe. Especially unmated human females.”
An unfortunately true statement. With Paxton gone, Vero was currently running the entire Kurjan nation, and things had certainly gone to shit. The brand on his palm pulsed. He’d bitten her during sex the night before. Had he transferred the brand? He really didn’t know. Lyrica might not be so unmated, after all. The UTV stopped at the cabin, and he watched her jump out, possessiveness flowing through him, dark and sure.
Jonathan poured more water, pulling Vero’s focus back to the sad disaster at hand. The victim’s feet were almost free, but the ice around her shoulders remained stubborn. He accepted a fresh bucket from Jonathan and began pouring water with deliberate care.
Another victim. Another mystery.
And still, no answers.
* * * *
Lyrica pulled up to the cottage, her teeth chattering despite the brief warmth of being in the UTV. Turning off the engine, she jumped out, her boots landing on a freshly shoveled path dusted with light snow. The wind cut through her layers, and she hustled as fast as her aching, frozen bones would allow. Reaching the door, she knocked firmly.
Maeve answered almost immediately, her eyes widening. “Oh, my goodness, get in here.” She ushered Lyrica inside, pulling her out of the biting cold. “You’re freezing. Take off your outerwear, and I’ll fetch you a bit of tea.”
The warm, cozy living room was a stark contrast to the icy night. Lyrica quickly removed her coat, boots, scarf, and mittens, hanging them neatly in an alcove near the door. Padding in thick socks through the inviting space, she entered the kitchen, which had been painted a cheerful yellow. Maeve was already bustling around, pouring tea into a delicate cup.
“Please, sit.” Maeve motioned toward a small wooden table in the breakfast alcove. “I’ll stoke the fire.”
Lyrica settled into one of the chairs, wrapping her hands around the steaming mug Maeve placed in front of her. The wild berry tea was fragrant and sweet, its warmth seeping into her frozen fingers and soothing her aching lips. Maeve moved to the fireplace that bisected the living room and kitchen, adding logs with practiced ease. The crackling flames sent waves of heat into the room, instantly banishing the worst of the chill.
“Thank you,” Lyrica murmured, sipping the tea. The warmth spread through her, chasing away the deep cold that had settled in her bones.