Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 125077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
“First of all, I don’t think that’s going to happen. Those shifter genes run pretty strong, and second, if it does, she’ll have plenty of human relatives. She won’t be the only one. She’ll have Jamie and Nicole’s kids, and there are humans in Frelsi. She’ll grow up surrounded by lots of creatures who don’t have superpowers. Most of the Fae creatures’ powers aren’t cool things like being able to change forms. The brownies have super cleaning skills. The companions are all glowy, but ninety-nine percent of us can’t see it. If she can’t change, she’ll find her badass in another way. Look at Evan.”
“When the hell did you become the voice of reason?” Nate asked with a smile.
I had no idea. I had been the fucked-up one, the one my brothers worried about. The one they’d almost lost. Well, I guess when I thought about it, I did know. “I found my place in the world.”
“Because you found your superpowers.”
“But that’s where you’re wrong. I always had the power. It was always part of me, but until I found a peace inside myself, it was a dangerous thing. The real power is in believing in myself. That’s what I’ve come to learn. In accepting who I am and what I can contribute and not being jealous of what other people get to do. It’s in finding some contentment that I’m here and I’m necessary, even if other people don’t see it. And you need to find that before this kid gets here.”
“That’s in, like, a couple of days, sister. That’s a lot to unpack in a couple of days.”
“Is it?” I mused. “Haven’t you already done most of the work? You decided you loved this woman and adapted to live in her world. You’re necessary to her. You and Jamie are necessary to me. Don’t doubt your place here because you’re human. That’s what I love about the Under. The primals are such powerful beings and yet they open their home to everyone. Their place could have been the superpredators of the supernatural world, but instead they chose to help. I could have become something destructive. Instead I think I’m pretty helpful. I think I was supposed to be here. Any other investigator would take what you’ve said and stop looking. I, on the other hand, will likely toss out all of your thoughts and try to find the real killer.”
Because it wasn’t Jade.
Nate groaned, but his arm slid around my shoulders. “Fine. Ignore the forensics specialist. I’m betting you’re going to ignore me when I give you another bit of advice.”
I wasn’t sure I needed more advice, but I was going with it. “Hit me.”
He turned, forcing me to face him so I could see how serious he was. “Kill Liv.”
I felt my whole soul sag. “I can’t. I mean I won’t let her kill me, but I don’t know if I can kill her.”
“Kelsey, she’s so powerful, and that sword of yours won’t help because she won’t let you get close enough. She doesn’t have to be close. She can kill you from afar.”
“So why hasn’t she? She’s had the chance.” I’d thought about this very little because I knew the answer. “She doesn’t want to kill me. There’s a part of Liv that still loves me.”
“And that’s the part of herself she wants to destroy.” Nate stood and started to pace.
I glanced over and saw that Trent had come in. He wore a pair of pajama pants and had a mug of coffee in his hand. He leaned against the door jamb as though simply letting me know he was there. I cocked a brow to let him know I wouldn’t hate his opinion.
One broad shoulder shrugged. “He’s not necessarily wrong. Nate, you have to know how hard it is for her to give up on anyone she cares about.”
“I know and I love her for it, but she’s got to understand the rules of engagement are different now,” Nate argued. “Liv is different now. If she doesn’t kill you it’s because Myrddin wants you alive. She’s doing his bidding, and if he tells her to kill you, she will. I know I’m supposed to stay out of it, but Jamie and I have been keeping track of things.”
Trent huffed. “What?”
“We live in Dallas. You can’t expect us to completely stay away. Our families are at stake.” Nate’s spine straightened, his expression turning stubborn. “And we’ve stayed as careful as possible, but I know some things. I have friends who are willing to get me information. I didn’t contact anyone because I knew we weren’t at a point where you could use it, and I knew you would freak out if you found out we had a couple of spies. One of Jeanie’s closest friends is another shifter who specializes in small creatures. I mean really small.”