Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
The dome glittered into existence. It formed base points on the natural rock face and ground before arching into the sky over the fortress. Jessie slipped into it and turned.
Tristan’s wings vibrated the air as Alpha Steele’s people exploded into the township. They roared their attack as they spread out in perfect precision. Alpha Steele ran toward Jessie, scattering people before him with screams and shouts. Garhettes dove out of the way. Non-guardian gargoyles looked out windows or peeked through doors to see what was happening, and then ducked back into safety.
Jessie waited for her mate. No one approached her or charged. Nelson stayed trapped on his landing, backed against the wall, staring down with a slack jaw. He’d no doubt want to file grievances for this, but Tristan had planned this attack so that everything was by the book. If those grievances were filed, Tristan would instruct Jessie on how to tear them all down. She had knowledge on her side this time—knowledge and might.
Alpha Steele reached her side, stepped behind her as she faced the rest of the cairn, and roared. His people matched him, followed by the gargoyles in the sky. Tristan snapped out his wings, thrummed them, and prepared for battle.
Nessa
“I really think I should’ve gone with them.” Nessa watched the dome solidify before Jessie and Austin turned for the castle-type building against the sheer cliff face. The fortress, someone had called it.
The magical dome turned an angry red, and then glossy. That meant it was locked into place. No one could go in—they could only come out. It wasn’t as dangerous as the one in Kingsley’s territory. That was, apparently, very important for this mock battle…thing. She still didn’t really understand the point besides gargoyles being bored.
Jessie started into the fortress with Austin at her back. The guards she’d meet would be nothing she couldn’t handle. Tristan had advised that she go in alone, and then he’d shut up promptly when Austin lost his shit. He had gotten so scary, Sebastian started shaking. That alpha would not allow his mate to walk into danger alone ever again.
Nessa’s gaze rose. Tristan’s huge gargoyle form hung stationary in the sky. The enemy guardians were still trying to get their bearings, some caught in updrafts and others scrambling to organize around a leader without half of Tristan’s presence.
“Tristan said it’s best for all gossip to be organic,” Sebastian said.
She nodded, remembering. It made sense. This way, it wouldn’t seem like a publicity stunt. It would seem like one leader proving dominance over another, like in a usual raid, but with a huge twist.
Patty had agreed with Tristan, even though she had wanted to see it in person. The story would just be too juicy not to share. Imagine not stealing something, but rather going through all this trouble to give a gift?
No one had ever done anything like this. No one had the money or power to do something like this. Jessie couldn’t be faulted because she’d risked her reputation and status to give something back, bolstering the cairn and improving its wealth. This was a classy move…even though a large portion of it was directly mocking the cairn leadership.
Meanwhile, Tristan would show Nelson what he was really capable of. That, with better leadership, Tristan could shine as brightly as the sun.
She stared up at his beautiful gargoyle form, a metallic teal that burned blue when he moved.
I’ve got you. I won’t let anyone get to you.
His arms had held her so tightly, thoroughly chasing away all her nightmares. She couldn’t remember ever sleeping so soundly, could never forget how it felt to wake up next to that hard body, his delicious smell, the throbbing length pushed against her backside—
She shivered.
“You okay?” Sebastian asked, looking in concern at what she knew was her flushed face.
“Yeah.” She shook it off. “Yup. Just waiting for the show to start.”
She hadn’t gotten a chance to turn over. She still didn’t know if she would’ve. He’d roused, kissed her shoulder, and excused himself from her room.
“I’ll give you a chance to put your walls back up, little angel,” he’d said, winking. “When I win you over, it won’t be because you need me to. It’ll be because you couldn’t resist wanting me to.”
With that, he’d sauntered out. The gargoyle-monster liked to play games.
Joke was on him. He’d passed up his chance. She had put her walls back up and steeled herself, filing away all the mushy rawness that the day before had wrung out of her. She’d strapped on her armor and was ready for battle. He liked to play games? Great. So did she.
“I would’ve loved to see the setup in that fortress,” Nessa murmured as a basajaun roared, running by. Three garhettes screamed and dove out of his way. They rolled to a stop and turned to look, their eyes wide.