Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86162 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86162 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
“I have heard of these ‘serial killers’ but it’s still hard to comprehend that there are human males so twisted they would hurt and kill females not just once but over and over again.” Solon sounded disgusted. “Such males shouldn’t be allowed to live.”
“You won’t hear me arguing with that,” Abbey said dryly. “What do the Monstrum do with serial killers?”
“We don’t have anyone like that,” Solon said. “If a male shows a tendency to want to harm or force females sexually he is put to death or banished. We call males like that ‘Broken Ones.’ But they’re extremely rare—it goes against our very genetic makeup to harm a female.”
“What…never? You never have any kind of domestic violence at all?” Abbey couldn’t keep the skepticism out of her voice.
“Never,” he said firmly. “The Monstrum believe that males and females are equals—women are to be protected and cherished, never hurt or belittled. A male who thinks otherwise isn’t welcome in any of our communities.”
“Well, that’s amazing if it’s true,” Abbey said doubtfully.
“We worship the Goddess—the Mother of All life,” Solon told her. “And we believe that every female has a little bit of her inside—a divine spark that is also worthy of worship.” He squeezed her hand lightly. “I believe that with my whole heart, Abbey and I’m so sorry for what happened to you. Did the peace keepers ever catch your attacker?”
Abbey shook her head.
“No. I took out a restraining order against him—not that it would stop him if he decided to come back and finish the job. For months I was so afraid that he was going to. That I would hear him in my room coming for me…” She shook her head and shivered. “I made Aunt Rose check the locks on all the doors and windows three and four times every single night. She finally made me go to therapy.”
“Therapy?” he asked and she could hear the confused frown in his voice again.
“It’s where you go talk to someone about something bad that happened to you.” She gave a broken little laugh. “Kind of what we’re doing now, I guess. God, I still don’t know why I’m telling you all this!”
“Because I want to know,” he said simply. “Because I need to know. Did he ever come back again? Is there anyplace I can find him and make him pay?”
Abbey shook her head.
“No—he’s gone for good, hopefully. After the therapy, I started feeling a little better. But then you sent those goons to come take me—”
“And of course you assumed that I would hurt you, the way the human male did.” She could hear the sincere regret and remorse in his deep voice. “Gods, Abbey, I am so sorry. No wonder you feared to come spend time alone with me during our Claiming Period.”
“I thought you wanted…what Henry wanted.” Her hand tightened into a fist inside his. “You don’t, do you? Please—please don’t do that to me! I…I couldn’t stand it if it happened again.”
“Never!”
To her surprise, she felt him move. The big golden blur beside her was suddenly at her feet instead and she realized he was kneeling in front of her. He took her other hand so that he was holding both of her hands in his. He was close enough that she could see the vague gleam of his golden eyes looking at her.
“Abbey,” he rumbled. “I swear by the Goddess, the Mother of All Life, that I will never take what you’re unwilling to give. Please believe me—you have my word as a Monstrum warrior that you’re safe with me and may the Goddess strike me dead if I lie.”
Abbey found herself surprisingly touched—she could almost feel how sincere he was. It was like a current running between them somehow.
“All right,” she said hesitantly. “But…now that you know I’m blind and…and what happened to me, don’t you want to let me go? I mean, I’ve got a lot of baggage—wouldn’t it be easier for you to just send me back down to Earth and forget about me?”
There was a motion in front of her that made her realize he was shaking his head.
“Forget you? How could I ever do that? Abbey, please try to understand—you’re my fated mate. I’m not going to give up on you because of something that happened in your past, or because you see differently than I do.”
“But…but Solon,” she said, using his name for the first time. “I just don’t think…I don’t know if I can ever let myself be with a guy again—I mean sexually. I know some girls can get over things like…like what I went through, but I honestly just don’t think I’m one of them.”
“I would never demand that you give yourself to me unless you felt ready and willing. Please give me a chance.” She heard the pleading in his voice. “I swear to you I won’t touch you if you don’t want me to—just let me get to know you—and give yourself a chance to know me.”