Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 132582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Killian kicks the person onto their back and bends down to snatch the hood off. The entire right side of their head is gone, like it was blasted the right half of the face so mutilated I can hardly make it out. Despite it, Caz takes a step forward, studying the body, his eyes narrowed.
Why does he seem familiar?
Caz’s voice rings in my head and I switch my gaze to his, just as he locks his eyes on me. I look at the man again, but his face is so destroyed, I’m afraid if I look any longer, I’ll throw up.
“I’ll have my guards get an ID on these people,” Alora declares, sighing. “In the meantime, perhaps it’ll be best for you all stay at the palace.”
Seventy-Nine
WILLOW
I’m not sure what to make of what just happened. Even now, as I drink tea while sitting on the balcony that faces the waterfalls with the others, none of what happened makes sense. Who were those people, and why did they attack Beatrix? The questions sink deep as I chew on a chunk of the protection morsel Caz gave me moments ago.
Luzian and Clara bring out more tea for us to settle in. We’ll be staying another night in the palace, in hopes that Beatrix will feel better enough to fill us in by morning.
Music plays, the sound of harps and violins, and everyone chats amongst themselves as if nothing happened, and I don’t understand it. How can they just move on after all that? Drink their tea and laugh and continue life, like they weren’t just facing death? It's a good thing Alora sent two of her guards to look over Beatrix while she’s healing. At least she isn’t dead.
My eyes swing to Caz, who is standing near the balcony. He’s been quiet since we’ve gotten here. Something is clearly on his mind that he doesn’t want me to hear because he’s blocking me out.
Luzian and Clara bring out a tray of fruits and crackers, offering some to me, but I pass. Instead, I walk over to Caz and stand next to him, absorbing the sounds of the trickling water.
“You okay?”
He glances at me. “Define okay.”
I rest my elbows on the marble guardrail. “I didn’t expect that at Beatrix’s.”
“Yeah. Me neither. But I suppose it comes with the territory. There are ears everywhere and whoever they were, they were probably looking for me. Not even Mythics are safe.” He pauses. “It’s just…I keep thinking they were Rippies, but they didn’t look like Rippies. Their body types weren’t the same…and that one who almost got away…” His head shakes. I can’t help feeling like I knew him or saw him before, I just don’t remember where.”
“How could you tell with his face so butchered?” I ask, shuddering at the reminder.
“It was the angle of his chin that I could see, the hair…” Caz sighs, digging into his pocket and pulling out a bloom. “Or maybe I’m just being paranoid and it’s all in my head.” He lights the bloom, takes a pull from it, then offers it to me. I take it, pull, and exhale. “I’ll be glad when that boat is built and I get this shit over with for The Council. Perhaps they’re right and waking Selah will take away some of our burdens.”
Right. He filled me in about that—his mission to ride a boat through a dangerous sea to an island practically made of fire. He claims the island isn’t fully made of fire, and that there are paths to take that are safe, but either way it, sounds like a death trip. I can’t believe he agreed to that. But at least the Council has agreed to protect us from Mournwrath aka Decius so Caz can fulfill his end of the bargain. So much can happen in three days, though.
“I’ve been thinking,” I start. “It might be best if I go back home until you complete your mission.”
His eyes find mine—sharp, serious. “Why do you say that?”
“It just seems like me being here is bringing you more trouble, and you and I both know so much can happen between now and when that boat is built.”
“There’s always trouble for me, Willow Woman. That’ll never change.”
I laugh at the nickname, and he moves in closer. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”
“I just don’t think I should stay, Caz. I don’t know why, but it feels like those people were trying to kill Beatrix because of us. And there’s no telling how many people know about our Tether by now. I hate saying it, but Killian was right. They can use me as leverage against you and that can prevent what you need to do.”
“I won’t let them get to you.”
“You can’t promise that.”
He takes another pull before putting out his bloom. Then he wraps his arms around me, bringing my cheek to his chest and holding me close.