Total pages in book: 207
Estimated words: 196971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 985(@200wpm)___ 788(@250wpm)___ 657(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 196971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 985(@200wpm)___ 788(@250wpm)___ 657(@300wpm)
My confinement, of course, is nothing but a decoy and a means to stall for time. It will be all up to you to figure the rest out—-
Why can't it be the other way around, Zari impulsively blurted out through their blood bond. Why can't I be the one who's taken away and—-
That won't do, my love. The wickedly teasing note in her Master's voice tempted Zari to laugh, cry, and question his sanity all at the same time.
Remember those nights you kept crying over and over about how strong you've become?
Well now...
How is it that you modern people say it, pet?
It is time for you to walk the talk.
The (Second ) Mandrake
Shows the Way
Chapter Eighteen
PRIDE HAD ZARI MAINTAINING a stony silence as trappers treated Alexandru, now safely behind the spell-fortified bars of a dungeon, like he was no different from a circus animal to be stared at and made fun of. To their credit, they didn't actually went as far as booing or throwing rotten eggs at him. But then when one looked into their eyes and saw the vile pleasure they derived from seeing a renowned hunter as her Master, now confined in an ancient solitary cell that had him sitting on the ground—-
She dug her nails hard into her palms. Part of the plan, Zari reminded herself. It was all part of the plan, and that included how Alexandru's imprisonment had the other trappers, young and old alike, were smirking and strutting out of the cave like they were the ones personally responsible for his detainment.
In the corner of her eye, she saw one of the trappers bragging to his friends that he was going to spit on Alexandru, but then the younger man met the hunter's gaze...
"Never mind," she heard the trapper mutter. "Even my saliva's wasted on it."
Zari saw red. It? That idiot dared call her Master...it? Oh, what she would do—-
Tick tock, pet.
Alexandru's mocking murmur in her mind hauled Zari back to her senses.
I would also rather spend my time elsewhere, but that won't happen anytime soon if you simply waste your time standing there.
She couldn't help grimacing even as she had to force herself to swing her back on her Master.
Sorry.
She followed the others out.
I'm going now.
This time, Alexandru didn't even answer, and in her mind she could easily picture him looking at her with a bored expression on his broodingly gorgeous face.
Fine, fine, lesson learned, Zari thought gloomily. Whenever he had his taskmaster mode switched on, Alexandru would instantly turn into a tough SOB that wouldn't even blink if his teaching methods had her crying in exhaustion and pain. He would still ask her to do it again and again, relentlessly using his knowledge as her Master and lover to push all the right buttons...just like what he was doing now.
No wasting time, she told herself. Gotta get her ass moving, that's what's being strong is all about.
Micah saw Zari the moment she was out of the cave and motioned for her to join him. Sundown Wild Forest was usually without crowds once the sun started to set, but with the Board scheduled to convene in midnight, the half angel had the entire workforce putting up a virtual miracle: a fully-functional camp right in the middle of the woods, and one that even came with luxury yurts, fancy shower stalls, and self-incinerating toilets.
There was even what she heard a trapper describe as the "feast tent", which had everything from caviar and lamb chops to cakes and champagne.
"I was thinking you'd go more for a Fort Knox theme," Zari remarked as she reached her boss, "but this looks more like a party setup for Fourth of July."
"The Board believes having Alexandru in custody distinguishes AGNEX from all the other trapping agencies."
"So we are celebrating then?"
Micah wisely ignored this, saying gruffly instead, "You've done a great job."
"I still love him, Micah," Zara said tightly. "But I would never let my feelings get in the way of work." She lifted her chin. "Hopefully, this is enough proof that no one will ever question my loyalty to AGNEX again."
The half angel inclined his head. "Touché, trapper."
"I need to head back to write a follow-up progress report," she said shortly. "Do you mind if I leave now or you still need me to hold your hand or something?"
Blue eyes glinted at her. "Don't push it."
"Then try catching your next target without my help." She turned away right after and, conscious of how everyone in the vicinity was gaping at them, worked hard to keep her militant expression intact. Although both of them had simply been putting on a show, it still hadn't felt right to cross words with her boss in full view of other trappers. Sure, they argued all the time, but—-
If you are deliberately making me jealous, mooning over your poor Legolas-wannabe boss, then you best be aware such an attempt will not be without consequences.