Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 79952 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79952 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
“If I were a madwoman, I would slice your throat,” I say, leaning down. Her flames are gone and in their wake is a fiery glare. “But I think there is enough madness in this world. Now, tell me how I get back to my sister.”
Cinitta starts to laugh, and I feel her belly rumble beneath me as she does. I watch her with caution, knowing full well she could light me up at any moment.
“The Viper will have you for breakfast. My death would be nicer… you should let me finish you. Kill you before you reach him, or shall I say, he reaches you. The rain and fog were just the start…”
“He did that?” I ask, confused.
“He controls everything. He knows you’re coming now. And he will not let you reach him so easily.”
“You’ve spoken to him?” I ask.
She smiles, her razor-sharp teeth wanting to strip my flesh from my bones, snapping at me.
“Viper likes his solitude. He invites no guests and requires no minions. He doesn’t need any either unless he wants to.”
I look down at her, still pinned to the ground by my body. “If I get up, will you tell me where my sister is?”
Her eyes go wide, like she doesn’t believe my question.
“Will you?” I try again.
She turns her head to her left, then nods. I spin and spot a pathway, but that could be a trick—this forest seems to love them.
“That way?” I ask.
Cinitta nods, and I slowly and carefully remove myself from her and stand. She goes to make a move to stand as well, and I offer her my hand. Her brows pinch and she bats my hand away as she pushes herself up.
“You are a strange witch,” she comments.
I turn back and see her eyeing me up and down.
“Should I take that as a compliment?”
Her violet hair flicks across her face, but she makes no move to shift it. “I despise witches. They look out for their own kind and do not agree with mixed breeding. It’s the reason my mother had to bring us here to begin with.”
“I don’t agree with their views, and especially with the queen’s,” I add. She shouldn’t be queen.
Her head cocks to the side. “Maybe I will not kill you after all.”
“I think you tried that one already.”
“You choose to be a smartass.”
“I choose.” I smile, and she doesn’t know how to take it at first, her forehead crinkling as she looks away.
Her eyes fall back to me. “The Viper is watching you. You should be aware of that.” Then she starts to walk off, leaving me stranded where she dragged me. My clothes are soaked and I’m freezing once again. I no longer have my bag and have no way of knowing for sure where to find my sister.
“Cinitta.” She stops and glances back. “Will you take me to my sister?”
She smiles as her only response, then keeps walking.
Right before my eyes, the fog swallows her, and she’s gone, leaving me wondering what the fuck I’m meant to do.
It feels like it’s been hours. I’m still freezing, wet, and now exhausted from this endless search. I went the way Cinitta indicated, and have found no trace of Patrick or Tatiana. I’m lost, in the Viper Forest. This is not the place you want to be lost in, let alone by yourself.
“Wings.” I freeze at that voice. What on earth does he want? “No point ignoring me. It seems I may be your only friend right now. Am I right?”
“Wrong,” I say out loud.
“You aren’t dead yet. So it seems the odds may be in my favor after all.”
“Will you shut up!” I scream. My legs keep carrying me on. To where… I still don’t know.
“Wings, why don’t you summon your Angel of Death? He could get you right out of there.”
“No,” I bite back.
“I’m sure they’re dead by now. Come to me, I may be able to help you. Save the one sister who still lives.”
“You are a real ass, you know that? What is it with everyone? Do you not have a heart?”
I hear his cackle run through my ears and down my spine.
“Wings, you know I am a demon. Hearts are for peasants who believe in the possibility of love. We do no such thing. It’s how we have survived the longest. We don’t fall for human foolishness, and neither should you, my queen.”
I go to say something back, like why he would call me that, but then I see it—a flash of what seems to be fur. I run to it, and when I reach the point where I saw it, there is nothing there.
His laugh is even louder in my ears. I spin around. Surely, they have to be here somewhere.
“Tatiana.” My voice is loud and clear, echoing back to me through the trees. I’m not sure what I’ll do if I can’t find her.