Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 58321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Grace nods slowly. “Because humans are one hell of a conduit for your magic.”
Again, she proves that she’s no stranger to magical elements. Again, my distrust of her grows. “Only when it comes to breeding with them.” I shrug, feigning nonchalance. “Any of the territory leaders who are able to convince their humans to procreate with them will have an edge over the others. It wasn’t long ago that we were at war, and it’s very present on everyone’s mind that if war comes again, a half-human leader might mean the difference between victory and defeat.”
She eats slowly, obviously mulling over the information I just imparted. Finally, she takes a sip of wine and sits back. “By the contract terms, you can’t compel me to sleep with you. And you certainly can’t force me to bear your child.”
“I have no intention of forcing you to do anything. That’s monstrous.” Once again, the words come out too harsh. I know I should be focused on setting her at ease, but there are too many things wrong. Her comment about whether I burn. Her knowledge about the paranormal world. And that damned clause in Azazel’s contract with me.
“Not to mention that you’re not able to force anything.” She takes another sip of wine. “If you harm me, your territory is forfeit.”
I wonder if her low opinion extends to all people she considers monstrous or simply everyone who isn’t her. “The contract is beside the point. You will not be forced.”
“Then you’re playing a losing game.” She sighs. “If I’m stuck here for seven years, I don’t want to be in a contentious relationship with you. It sounds exhausting for both of us, and I don’t think you want that any more than I do.”
She’s not being honest with me. And she’s not exactly lying, but her emotions are more muted than they have been since I met her, which means she’s working hard to control them. It’s not from fear. Out of all the emotions, fear is the one most challenging to mask. It’s too instinctive.
“I agree,” I say slowly. “You found your way down here well enough. Were you exploring?” I already know the answer, and I’m not certain if I’d rather her have cowered in her room until I came to retrieve her or not. I don’t want her to fear me, but there’s something dangerous about this woman. If she’s a threat . . .
What will I do if she is? Run.
I take a large drink of wine. “Be careful on the stairs. A fall from a high floor will kill you.”
“As I said before, I’m not afraid of heights and I’ve got excellent balance. I’ll be fine.”
“Right. Good.” I sit back and swirl my wine in my glass. It’s tempting to tell her that I doubt her intentions, but I can’t help doubting my instincts. I’ll be the first to admit that my opinions of humans are shaded by past events. It could be that I’m looking for trouble where there is none.
It could be, but I don’t think so. I highly doubt Grace is here with good intentions. I won’t know for sure until she acts, but I can keep a close eye on her.
I force a smile and allow her to believe the lie that I trust her. “I know this isn’t easy for you. It isn’t easy for me, either. There’s plenty of time, Grace. We’ll get to know each other slowly.” It’s a lie. There’s a clock ticking down in my head. I don’t believe the curse is real. That’s nonsense. But enough bad things have happened that it’s hard not to feel that I’m next. I won’t breathe well until the line of succession is secured. Maybe not even then.
Dinner wraps up quickly after that. I escort Grace back to her room, and I don’t miss the way she seems to be memorizing the trip. It’s almost a relief that the hallways are empty and echoing—at least there’s no one there to witness the growing awkwardness between us. I want to believe her memorization is so she can find her way through the halls while she lives here, but there’s a quiet intent to her energy that speaks of slyness. It worms away from me every time I try to focus on it.
“Good night, Grace. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Yes. See you in the morning.” Guilt colors her emotions, and she shoots a quick look out the window. Looking for an escape route?
There’s no violence in her right now, which leads me to only one possible conclusion. She’s not here to attack anyone. She also has no intention of honoring her part of the bargain.
No, that can’t be right.
Azazel gave her a chance to back out earlier. She didn’t take him up on it. Why would she agree to this if she planned on fleeing the first chance she got?