AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Wynter tensed, switching her attention back to her coven. “They must have come for Eve and her grandchildren.”
“And you,” said Delilah. “They’ll want the Ancients to hand you over as well.”
“That won’t happen, so they’ll be massively disappointed.”
“We heading up there or what?” asked Xavier.
“Of course,” said Wynter. They rose from their seats and hurried out of the tavern. Almost bumping into Maxim, she skidded to a halt.
“I’ve been looking for you,” he told her.
She felt her eyes narrow. “Did Cain send you to keep me down here?”
“No,” replied Maxim. “He wanted me to find and warn you that keepers have arrived. But I’m going to ask you to not go up to the surface.”
Was he kidding? He had to be. “If Saul sees the keepers from Aeon, he might come out of hiding. He could take advantage of Cain’s distraction and attack him.”
“And Cain will be aware of that. He’ll be on his guard. But if you’re up there with him, his attention will be divided. He’ll be worrying about you. He won’t focus on his own safety. I don’t think you want that.”
Wynter clamped her lips shut.
“He won’t be alone. Azazel and Seth are heading to the manor with him. The three will speak with the keepers.”
Unlocking her back teeth, Wynter took a long breath. “I’ll wait in the foyer of the manor with my coven. I won’t go outside unless something bad goes down. That’s the best deal you’ll get, Maxim. I can’t stay down here when I know he could be in danger up there.”
Maxim’s shoulders relaxed. “I appreciate that you’re so protective of him. Thank you for being willing to stay out of sight rather than rushing to his side. I know this isn’t easy for you.” With that, he turned and prowled away.
Xavier bumped her gently as they walked toward the stone tower that featured the elevator. “I didn’t expect you to agree to that. What gives?”
“She’s being cautious, obviously.” Anabel touched her arm. “Cain will be okay, Wyn. I’m sure of it. I don’t feel death’s breath on my neck at all. Really, it would warn me if it was close.”
Delilah rolled her eyes. “Death probably points its finger at you and laughs at how ridiculous you are. Well, Wyn, do you want to tell us why you agreed to something you’d normally snort at?”
Wynter scratched her cheek. “I’m very soon going to suggest we lure Saul to us in a way that Cain is not going to like. It’s going to be hard to make him consider it. I figure I can now be all, ‘hey, I do stuff for you that I don’t like when it counts.’ It might make him more inclined to at least fully hear me out.”
“In other words, you saw a shot at manipulating him and you went with it.” Xavier tossed an arm over her shoulders and tugged her close. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of you right now. This is truly an emotional moment for me.”
Wynter sighed at him. “You’re an idiot.”
“It’s in the blood.”
*
Walking down the manor’s driveway with Azazel and Seth flanking him, Cain took in the sight that awaited them on the other side of the security gates. Three off-road vehicles, one of which had a tall, black tow box attached. It was difficult to tell exactly how many people were in the vehicles, but Cain counted at least six. None were either Abel or Adam.
Disappointing, but not necessarily surprising.
The gates swung open as Cain and the other Ancients neared them, but none passed through them. They simply came to a halt and waited.
A male in the passenger seat of the first vehicle smoothly slid out. He gave the Ancients a nod. It wasn’t quite deferential, but it was polite. No aggression in his body language, he announced, “We are here to collect our people and the witch.”
And like that, he’d made himself an enemy of Cain’s creature. It wouldn’t matter whether the male meant her harm or not. The fact that he wanted to take Wynter anywhere put the monster in a somewhat murderous frame of mind.
“I see,” said Cain. “Quite an entourage you have with you.” Not big enough to come across as a threat, but not so small as to appear vulnerable. “And the tow box?”
“That is for the witch,” replied the keeper, confirming Cain’s suspicion. “It will hold her.”
“No, it won’t.”
