Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 151630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 758(@200wpm)___ 607(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 758(@200wpm)___ 607(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
“How do you know it’s not a her?” Shy asks.
I frown her way.
Her eyes widen. “Oh.”
Yeah, there’s big old dangly bits that tell me this is a masculine chimera, although I personally don’t know how he identifies. Chimeras could be very fluid. Probably are since they have to deal with all those various animal spirits.
I wince as Cassie manages to leap onto the chimera’s back just as he launches himself into the air. A big brown wolf jumps, trying to catch the chimera, but it’s too fast.
And Cassie is reckless as hell. She somehow manages to grab one of the goat horns and wrap her legs around the body before she shoves that machete into the beast’s side.
“Cassie’s going to get in so much trouble,” I say, admiring my bestie’s daughter. From what Neil has told me, I know she was left behind because she couldn’t change. Or she couldn’t completely change. I note her fingers have claws.
“Daniel!” Neil yells as the blood starts to flow.
“I’ll get her.” Daniel takes off, and then they’re out of sight.
“I’m pretty sure Cassie killed the chimera, and Danny’s got to catch her because she did it midair.” I have faith in my vampire hubby. He’s caught me many times.
The chimera’s body hits the pond and water splashes everywhere.
But no Cassie. She’s in Danny’s arms as he floats down.
Girl didn’t even drop her machete.
“Clem is upset. She hoped the chimera would take out the king.”
“Why would she want Danny dead?” I ask, and the vines start to recede, and I can see again. I frown at my son. “You could ask, Rhys.”
He rushes over to Shy, not looking my way. “Why would I bother, Mother? I was going to do it one way or another. And don’t assume it was to protect you. It was to keep you from doing what Cassie did. You are extremely chaotic in battle. Shy, are you all right?”
Shy allows him to take her hand but holds her position. “Something is wrong.”
My son pales.
“Cassandra Elaine Thomas,” Neil begins, and I have to admit he’s developed an excellent dad voice.
“Damn. I wanted to see what it tasted like,” Brendan says, and then he catches the look in his sister’s eyes and holds his hands up. Naturally both he and Neil are totally without clothes, but hey, that’s the way the supernatural world goes sometimes. We’re not precious about our bodies. “Cassie, you heard what Dad said. He told Rhys to protect you. What was I supposed to do? Tackle him?”
Sasha, Danny, and Dev stand by the pond, looking out over the water.
“Should one of us go in and make sure it’s dead?” Danny asks.
“It’s dead,” Cassie assures them. “I killed it, and I would have carved out its heart except everyone freaks out when I do that.”
“I can bring the creature up from the pond if need be,” Devinshea offers. “Though I’m not sure how it will help.”
“Well, I’d like to know why it attacked,” Danny replies.
“I assume it was hungry and we look like excellent snacks.” Sasha’s accent seems deeper when his adrenaline is up. He rubs a hand over his chest like something pains him there. Which it can’t because he’s a vamp.
“We don’t have chimeras in the sitheins.” Dev glances back my way. “Are you and Shy all right, my goddess?”
I look at Rhys, who seems to be studying Shy to ensure not a hair on her head has been shifted out of place by the fight we’ve just gone through. Well, the men and Cassie did. I make note. I’m going to start carrying a machete. I’m glad Danny and Dev are through their “treat me like I’m made of glass” phase. “I’m fine, though I didn’t appreciate the unwanted cage. I can take cover on my own.”
“So can I,” Shy says quietly.
“Rhys, you have to know your mother is very capable,” Daniel begins.
“Of causing chaos,” Rhys replies, ignoring what Shy said.
“Hey.” I should not have to take that from someone I breastfed for a year.
“Mother, the last time we were in a bad situation, you nearly brought a troll down on our heads. And you angered the entire village of Hidden Folk,” Rhys accuses even as he gets close to Shy.
“And then you ascended and we got them as allies.” My chaos can be helpful at times. It’s not all bad.
“You could have been killed.” Neil grabs his backpack and pulls out his emergency sweats.
“But I wasn’t,” Cassie replies, pointing her machete his way. “Dolores and I took care of it.”
Neil’s head shakes. “I should never have taken you to that musical about Kelsey. It put all kinds of thoughts in your head, and do you know how much it pains me to say anything bad about musical theater?”
“If he wasn’t from here, then where was he from?” Daniel asks Dev. “Could the Unseelies have sent him? It wouldn’t be the first time.”