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)
“No,” Lyrica said firmly. Her gaze dropped back to Tekii, her friend’s lifeless form a haunting reminder of the fragility of their safety. The reality of the woman being naked speared terror through Lyrica. “I need a light.”
“I don’t have a light,” Genevieve replied quickly. “We don’t have cell phones that work out here yet.”
Lyrica sighed, the weight of their isolation pressing down on her. Months without a working cell phone still felt surreal, but there were bigger issues at hand. She crouched again, leaning closer to examine Tekii’s neck. Her breath caught. “Is that a bite wound?”
Genevieve took a step back, her eyes wide with fear. “I—I can’t tell. We need to get her into the light. Should we even try to move her, though?”
“I think she’s frozen to the ground.” Lyrica straightened, her gaze darting around the darkened camp. The cold bit into her skin, the night’s stillness unnerving.
Everyone was either on a mission or resting in bed right now. Sure, sentries patrolled at all times, but considering they lived in the middle of nowhere, nobody from the camp would venture into the mountains or the icy river. Especially in this weather. They were effectively trapped. She stood. “We can’t just leave her out here like this.” Chewing on her lips, she looked back toward the main lodge. “Come on.”
Genevieve’s nose had turned a bright red and she pulled her scarf up to cover her face. The wind whistled and fought them, but Lyrica led the way back to the lodge. She hurried through the back door. Heat instantly assailed her, pricking painfully against her freezing skin.
Genevieve winced. “I hate that part.”
“Me too.” Even her feet protested with furious sharp pains as she moved into the main gathering room.
The familiar space usually provided an odd comfort. Several large sofas formed a cozy TV area, and the rest of the room held pool tables, dartboards, and even an air hockey table. Vero and Paxton had worked hard to make this new camp livable—more than just livable, comfortable. For all the harshness of the location and circumstances, they’d succeeded in carving out a safe haven. More supplies arrived every other day or so. Soon they’d have a city built with outlying homesteads.
Comfort felt fleeting right now.
The lodge housed several private bedrooms for the leaders and coordinators. Lyrica’s quarters were on the top floor, in the eastern wing, a secluded sanctuary she barely had time to enjoy.
“Come on,” Lyrica whispered, heading to the west side and up the stairs.
A wide, heavy body instantly blocked her way when she reached the top. “What is going on?” No familiarity or warmth showed on the young soldier’s face.
Her mouth still felt frozen as she tried to speak. “Hi, Liam or Collin.” Identical twins, the two vampires protected Hope, Paxton’s mate and their cousin. They’d helped everyone move to the new territory and seemed to be good friends with Paxton. Unfortunately, Lyrica’s empathic abilities hadn’t developed to the point where she could read the emotions of most immortals, so she couldn’t tell if he wanted to be helpful or not. “I need to speak with Hope.”
“It’s after one in the morning, and it’s Liam,” he said shortly. “I will be pleased when Hope’s home is finished being constructed and we’re not here in the middle lodge. It’s too…exposed.” While his emotions remained veiled, the irritation in his tone came through loud and clear. The vampire did not want to stay in Kurjan territory, and the second Hope decided to return to Realm headquarters, he’d be right at her side.
However, Lyrica had seen the way Paxton and Hope loved each other. If she left, so would he. Right now, he seemed intent on ruling the Kurjans, which was a good thing, so Hope wouldn’t go anywhere.
“Lyrica?” Liam growled. “I don’t like how easy it is for anybody to reach this landing. You’re trustworthy, but this has shown a breach in my security that I don’t like. We need to move to a single structure. Soon.”
Lyrica tried not to take a step back. When Paxton’s home was completed, Vero’s would follow, as they sat next to each other against the mountain in a more defensible area. She’d miss being close to Vero. No. Hope. She’d miss Hope. “The homes will be very nice,” she said lamely.
Liam’s gaze narrowed. “What is the emergency? It’s late.” The handsome soldier was definitely on edge and she couldn’t really blame him, considering he was a vampire in Kurjan territory.
“I really need to talk to her. I found a dead woman.”
“Dead? Explain.”
Lyrica’s back went up. And people thought she was bossy. “No. I would like to speak with Hope, and I’m absolutely fine if you want to listen over her shoulder.” Sometimes the only way to deal with these overbearing males was to stand right up to them, even if they were a foot or more taller than her. She had the ability to drown a person with statistics and PowerPoint presentations, for goodness’ sake. Not all fights were won with swords.