Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“Come home, but we don’t need to guard the stone. I will take care of it,” I say.
“But Kendrick. They will have all the stones and they can release our uncle. We can’t allow that to happen,” Ardan says.
“Have you ever asked yourselves why our father left something so important with us? Why not keep them in his kingdom under his protection? Why entrust them to us?”
“Because he had plans,” Reilly says.
“Bingo. Trust me. I believe everything is going as our father wants. I’m only going to do my part. Come home.”
“But our father is the one who has been fooling me for months,” Ardan says, seething.
“Exactly, little brother. Not the hunters, our father,” I reply.
Recognition fills Ardan’s eyes. He nods. “I will see to Kenji and come home immediately.”
“I’m on my way as well. Lee Ann wants to see that text in person. How is Ray holding up?”
“Holding up? What happened to Ray?” Ardan asks.
“She was attacked by the hunters and her father was murdered,” I reply.
I note that Taylor has left the meeting. I hope she will be okay. I can’t imagine how this has made her feel.
“She’s resting,” I say to Reilly. “Physically, she’s fine. Mentally and emotionally, she will need some time. She tried to save him but was too late.”
“This might be bad timing, but have the rings returned?” Ardan asks.
I knit my brows. I would have felt if the Riccis’ rings returned. “No, they haven’t,” I reply.
“We are all mated. Now the eldest son is dead. What seems to be the problem?”
“I don’t know, but we will get to that. I think we need to focus on what’s coming.”
“You’re right,” Ardan says.
“Anything else?”
“All good here,” Reilly says.
“Meeting adjourned. I’ll see you, brothers, on this side.”
“See you soon, brother,” my brothers say in unison.
Are We Ready
Three days later…
I stand in the church with the bishop. We’re waiting for the others to arrive with their report. It’s been three days since our numbers were diminished.
My head hurts as visions invade my mind. This always happens before and after I have to refuel. I have not used the girl yet. The bishop wanted to wait until we confirmed our next move.
I close my eyes as my past bombards me. Visions of my loss and the journey I’ve made to get here hit hard, making my stomach quiver with my anger and rage.
“How much longer?” The bishop’s voice pulls me from my vision of the last time I came across one of those monsters in the flesh. The day that changed my fate forever.
I shake my head clear to see Xavier, Ferg and Arlo have entered the sanctuary. The bishop is becoming impatient. I can feel it and hear it in his voice. With our numbers depleted, we need everything else to fall into place. We need the weapons.
Arlo steps forward and bows. Like me, Arlo wears a face covering with his hood. I can see his eyes and his dark-brown skin but nothing below his cheekbones.
“The test was a success. Our allies are in place. We are ready when you are,” Arlo says.
Arlo is one of the wiser kings and he’s a great warrior. He’s an asset we can’t afford to lose. His knowledge of the sciences and history alone has been invaluable.
It was Arlo who designed the weapons needed to hold those abominations so we could free our master. Tanrı’s biggest mistake in the accords was allowing blessed iron to be a weakness for his offspring.
Arlo was able to figure out how to exploit that weakness. All we needed was to find an alchemist and blacksmith able to create his designs. Greed allowed us to find willing participants.
“Are you sure?” The bishop says, his eyes gleaming with more light than I’ve ever seen.
“Yes. I am sure. Capturing the older three will be simple. What has taken time to perfect has been the containment of the youngest brother,” Arlo begins.
“I know this,” the bishop bites out in frustration. “Are you sure this will work on him? He is the one we have to worry about. None of you will be able to get close enough to him to run him through.
“If you’re not sure you can contain him, we are not ready. Look around you. This is what we’ve become. Our allies are no longer a distraction for us. They are our brothers and sisters in arms.
“So I will ask you again, Arlo. Are you sure?”
Arlo straightens and lifts his head. “I am sure. I have perfected my calculations. The work has been done. We will succeed. I am sure.”
“Very well. Then it is time. We will destroy them all before the child is born into existence.
“Once they are all destroyed. We will have the key. He will wait no more,” the bishop croons with excitement.
He turns his gaze to me. “Come, we need you at full strength. Bring me the girl.”