Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 110809 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110809 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
“So you’re content with never seeing me again?”
“I never said that.” He squeezes my hip. “Once I end Gregor’s reign, I’ll be free to come to you.”
“How? You just said he’ll know you’re coming before you get the chance.” I think about the syringe of proteins in my refrigerator. If someone could get close enough to Gregor to inject him, then maybe it would work.
“I’ve been dreaming about it, planning it from the moment I knew what death was. But now I’m close. Closer than I’ve ever been before. I just need a few more pieces to fall into place. As soon as it’s done, we’ll be together.”
I chew over what he’s said. Escaping to Europe doesn’t sound so bad, if I’m being honest. As long as I could continue my work there. I could even tell him about the proteins, give him a head start on getting rid of Gregor. But there’s one part of this deal that’s non-negotiable. “Juno has to come with me.”
“No.”
“Then I’m not going anywhere.” I shove myself out of his lap.
“You are.” He stands and stalks me across the room. “Gregor will still be able to sense you even at great distance, but he’ll have to pull a lot of fucking strings to get to you. You’ll be safe there.”
“What do you mean he can sense me?” I back up until I hit the wall.
Valen cages me in. “My blood—his blood—runs in your veins now. Enough that he can feel you if he ever were to try. Can even control you to a limited degree. Nudging you in his direction, making you think and do whatever he wishes, though you’ll believe that desire is your own.” He digs his claws into the drywall. “I’ll never let him get to you.”
“Wait, wait, wait.” My mind is running headlong toward a dark path, one wreathed with shadow and despair. “Are you saying that my blood—if it’s used to create a cure for the plague—are you saying it carries Gregor’s will into it? His control?”
“Of course. Why do you think he offered it in the first place?”
The implications of it flood my mind. Anyone who receives a cure or vaccine from the sample on its way to Atlanta—they would all be under Gregor’s influence. He could control … everyone. Every human on the planet.
What have I done?
“I can’t leave.”
“Georgia—”
“I will fight you. The whole fucking way, Valen. I won’t let you tell me what I can and can’t do. This is my life. My decision.”
He presses his forehead to mine. So tender when I expect him to be furious. “I can’t deny you.”
“You … can’t?” I close my eyes, breathing him in even though I’m on the verge of murdering him.
“How the fuck could I?” He rests his hand at my throat. “When I’ve been searching for you for centuries? You’re my Blood, Georgia. My only one. Mine.”
“Is this a trick? If it is, I don’t care what you do to me.” I kick my chin up. “I won’t leave Juno. Not her, not even Vince.”
He scowls. “He’s never trusted me.”
“What can I say? He has great instincts.”
He gives me a look, one that carries more meaning than a thousand words could. “It’s not a trick. Even if you wanted to walk into hell, all I ask is that you let me walk with you.”
How is it that only minutes ago I wanted to scratch his eyes out, but at this very moment, I go weak in the knees for him?
“I can’t lose you,” he whispers. “Please. Don’t stay. Trust me to finish it with Gregor and come to you.” His seething darkness is gone. “Please.” He draws his knuckles down my cheek, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. Begging me in a petal-soft voice, he guts me more surely than any knife. All his violence, the power that runs through his veins—and yet he listens to me. He begs me, a man who has probably never begged for anything in his life.
“I’ll go, but only if my conditions are met.” My voice comes out breathy.
“Yes?” he asks.
“I’d need you to get a message to my friends in Atlanta, but if you can promise me that, I’ll go wherever you want to send me. Me, Juno, and Vince. Fatima, too.”
He ponders for a long moment, his scowl deepening as he thinks it over. “Done.”
I blink. “You … you agree?”
“You’ll be safe. That’s all I need…” His gaze drops to my lips. “For now.”
“I honestly can’t tell which one of us is more delusional.” I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him.
He meets me, his tongue plundering my mouth as he grabs my hips and lifts me, pinning me against the wall. Heat rises in my veins, warming me as I give myself over to this kiss, this unspoken connection I’ve felt with him from the moment he walked out of Juno’s office that day. I’m falling. I’ve been falling.