Book Eight: Chapter 189

“Do you really think that prayer will help us here?” she asked. “God has turned a blind eye to this place long ago.”

Mike winced. “It’s a sports metaphor, actually. Well, I guess it’s a sports metaphor based on a prayer, I’ve never really thought about it. Anyways, it means a play or strategy meant as a last-ditch effort to succeed. Look, I know I can’t make you do this, but...if it works...” He locked eyes with her. “You would add your strength to ours. Together, maybe we can make a miracle of our own.”

Lady Charlotte sat back in her chair, her fingers tapping anxiously on the arms of her seat. She was breathing hard now, her lips parting ever so slightly to reveal the tips of her fangs.

“On one condition,” she said.

Mike frowned. “It depends on the condition.”

“Should you actually overthrow...” She gestured in the general direction of the castle. “I want you to take the villagers with you.”

“Excuse me?” That caught Mike off guard. Perhaps he had