Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 142916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
I’m not Carpathian, Benedek. I can’t see him.
There was a bite to her tone. His woman had a temper. She had made it clear from their first meeting that she didn’t want anyone dictating to her. He had made it clear that when it came to matters of her safety, he would be doing more than dictating. He would ensure she was safe.
But you feel him. Do you know him?
Benedek was well aware Silke was extremely sensitive. She hadn’t been monitoring their surroundings as she normally would have been doing. She was still reeling from their first blood exchange. If he was being truthful with himself, he had been thrown as well. She wasn’t alone in her reaction. He hadn’t expected their exchange to be so erotic.
Silke took a deep breath. He could feel her pushing aside her reaction to his interference and her fears for Fenja. Benedek found it interesting how she expanded her mind first before sending her energy out. She kept it low, nearly impossible to detect, but within that energy, she buried all of her senses, acute smell, sharp eyesight, the radar the hairs on her body provided. She utilized everything she had when she sent her energy seeking the invader.
He came with the demon Ares Castello. His name is Herman Drakos. He was the one question mark I had with Castello’s group. The Bakis brothers and Melia Floros are fanatics. Floros especially. There is a woman in their group who appears to be more of a puppet than anything else. She acts as though she’s incapable of thinking for herself.
What about Drakos did you question? Benedek wasn’t going to ignore her assessment. If the man was troubling, there was a reason.
He isn’t under Castello’s compulsion. I don’t believe the demon has any control over him, so I was unsure where he fit in.
He is mage.
Silke went very still and then turned her gaze to his. I am not skilled in battling a mage. He must have concealed his presence from Tora.
He is shielding, using a newer technique. She relies on the ancient ways, and the mages coming out of Xavier’s school began combining and experimenting with techniques. Once they knew Xavier was dead, many began to try to rise up to take his place.
Silke frowned, her brain working fast, fitting pieces of a puzzle together. She shook her head. He is working for Lilith. To be with Castello he has to be.
He hasn’t come from the underworld, so he has not died, Benedek assured. No matter what Lilith promised him, ultimately he will work for his own gain.
He’s clearing the cameras.
Benedek was surprised that she was able to discern that much. She was much more powerful than she gave herself credit for.
He is also weaving a dark spell, he told her. Can you feel the foulness in the air?
She was very still, stretching her senses, looking for the taint that would give away the fact that the mage was casting and what he was using his gift for. Benedek knew the moment Silke encountered the compulsion the mage was weaving around her home. She didn’t react, something that might give away their presence to the mage. She stayed utterly still, studying the weaves the mage was using to cover her home.
He’s determined to draw Fenja out of the house, she concluded. He believes she’s the demon slayer. I was hoping I had distracted that group. I’m going to have to take on Castello before I’m ready. I can’t have him sending his mage to harass my mother.
I don’t think Castello sent him. Benedek disagreed with her assessment. Like I said, I believe he is working for his own gain. He may not believe whatever you told him, and he still thinks you are the slayer. He may want to speak with Fenja to confirm it.
She didn’t argue with him. She studied the mage through her extended senses. I guess it would be best if he met the slayer. Even if he has the capability to realize that is who I am, I have you. He has no idea you’re anywhere in the picture.
She placed her palm over the mark on her neck. With regret, you’ll have to remove the evidence. I don’t want to make it easy for him.
Benedek liked that she remembered to have the mark removed and that she was unhappy about it. He also liked that she trusted him to have her back. She hadn’t called for Tora, which would have normally been her inclination.
Be very careful, Silke, Benedek cautioned. Mages can wield strong compulsions with their voices. What he is using has to do with sound. He’s calling your mother to him, broadcasting throughout your home that she wishes to invite him inside.
A faint smile appeared in her mind. He’s about to get a shock. His command can’t penetrate the safeguards woven around the house. There is no crack or tiny hole for his compulsion to find its way inside.