Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 131708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
“Love him, I know. ’Bout time you realized it.”
What the fuck? “You knew?”
“Of course I knew.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You needed to work it out for yourself.”
“Heifer,” Ella playfully tossed out before shoving the last of her ice-cream into her mouth. “You’re always so stingy with information.”
“Right back atcha. You learned lots that you’re not sharing.”
Ella dropped her spoon into her empty bowl. “I can share something else.”
Mia’s eyes lit up. “Ooh, what?”
“Unfortunately, it’s not happy news. I got another note. I can’t say what it said, because you’ll only ask what it meant and I won’t be able to explain. But, for reasons I can’t go into, we’re thinking it was written by a celestial. One who seeks to punish Viper for falling and thinks they can do it through me.”
Mia’s brow furrowed. “But … the notes were coming before you got involved with him. Unless you two were sleeping together for longer than I thought but you didn’t tell me?”
“No, it’s not that. Let’s just say they were able to detect his interest in me.” Ella scratched at her nape. “I don’t know if I should tell Luka about the note. I mean, he’ll have all kinds of questions. Some of which I won’t be able to answer, which will lead him to ask more questions. Learning I’m in a relationship with the president of the Black Saints is going to make him mad. Hearing that Viper put me under two geasa will only enhance that fury.”
Mia nodded, pouring coffee into her cup. “He’ll hate that there are secrets he isn’t privy to. Rationally, he’ll know that that’s how it goes with couples. But you’re his anchor, so he’ll ignore rationality. Especially when he won’t want you to be with Viper. And if Luka hears that a celestial is on your ass, he’s gonna be pissed at Viper. He’ll hold him responsible for the danger that you’re in.”
“And by telling Luka it’s a celestial, I’ll be dragging him into a situation that I don’t want him to get tangled up in.”
“It might be best to not tell him about the note. You might not like the idea of hiding stuff from him, but there’ll be plenty of stuff that he doesn’t tell you regarding his own business—mostly for your protection. This is no different.”
Ella lifted her brows. “That’s true.”
“My advice? Keep him ignorant. It’s for his own sake as well as all those whose secrets you need to protect. You’ll have to keep Mom and Jocelyn ignorant, too.” Mia exhaled heavily. “You have practice at that sort of thing, at least. But you did try to tell them about your love life this week. Twice, actually.”
The first time, she’d gently raised the subject of the Black Saints … only for both Melodie and Jocelyn to talk about how they really needed to get started on petitioning to have the fallen angels removed from the Underground.
In response, Ella had thrown in a comment about how well the club had integrated itself into demonic society; claimed that they could only have made important allies like Knox and Maddox if said allies felt certain that the club meant no harm whatsoever to the demons existing in this realm. Melodie and Jocelyn had strongly disagreed, tossing out stories of the deaths of past incantors who were wronged by the Fallen.
The second time Ella had tried broaching the subject, Melodie had scowled and said, “Don’t make me think about them, I’m too annoyed that Knox refused to forbid them entrance to the Underground.” Ella hadn’t even known until right then that her mother had actually made such a direct appeal to him.
Ella rose from her stool. “I’ve given up on the idea of gently breaking it to them. The fact is they’re not going to take it well no matter what approach I take.” She crossed to the sink and plonked her bowl and spoon into it.
Mia’s brow furrowed as she stared at the bowl. “What made you settle on having ice-cream for breakfast? You on the rag or something?”
“No, but it helped me ignore the weird taste on my tongue.” Ella grimaced. “It’s been there since I woke up. I was going to scoff on a banana instead, but the smell of it turned my stomach.” She wrinkled her nose at Mia’s mug. “Same goes for your coffee, actually.”
Mia poked her tongue into the inside of her cheek. “Hmm.”
“What does ‘hmm’ mean?”
Mia set her cup on the counter and then curled her fingers around Ella’s upper arm. “Sweetie, why don’t you come sit down?”
Allowing her sister to usher her back onto her stool, Ella frowned at the odd expression she wore. “What is it?”
Mia clasped her hands and hesitated, seeming intent on choosing her words carefully. “Having ice-cream for breakfast isn’t exactly normal for you, is it? You have headaches that come and go. Also not normal. Certain smells are bothering you. Again, unusual. Now you also have a funny taste on your tongue. Definitely abnormal. And maybe it’s nothing, but … ” Mia trailed off and bit her bottom lip. “When was the last time you had your monthly code red situation?”