Burning to Ashes by Evi Asher Read Free Book Online Page A

Six
     
     
    “How the hell did the Enforcers find us?” Archer moved up behind Tate to peer through the partially opened up part of the window. The others had similar vantage points, all well hidden, but able to see out into the daylight.
    Geo stood out in the open. He was relaxed, looking bored. He glanced up at the sun, then at the front of the building.
    “I’m not going to wait much longer, Outsiders,” he intoned in bored voice.
    Luke flickered into to view, a mirage in the strong sunlight outside. He was closer to the building than Archer liked.
    “Stay back, Luke. I’ve got rock salt and I’ll use it,” he called out through the window, cocking the double gauge sawed off he held in his hands. He didn’t want the psychopath anywhere near Scarlet. She’d seemed freaked out by the sprit when Archer had found her, and he didn’t want her scared.
    Luke disappeared, then reappeared next to Geo.
    “Send her out, Archer, you know I’m going to get to her eventually, and I’d much rather you send her out than send Luke in. You know he can’t be trusted to take only the person he’s after.” Geo’s mouth curled into a smile that could only be called vicious.
    Archer turned to the others. “We are going to have to go out there. Luke is unpredictable. I think we’ll have a better chance of talking this situation away, if we go face Geo.”
    Archer turned toward Zane, and saw Scarlet standing at the back of the room. “Damn it, Scarlet,” he nearly yelled, then remembered Geo was just outside, and lowered his voice. “I told you to stay in the room.” He stalked towards her, intent on shaking some sense into her. Why would she be so stupid and put herself in danger?
    He needed—no, both his beast and Archer—needed her safe and locked up in the room where she wasn’t in the line of fire, preternatural or otherwise.
    He noted she’d gotten dressed before she’d come out of the room, and that was a good thing, or he would have had to maim Eternals left and right for seeing her in the nightdress.
    “Well?”
    Her chin lifted in defiance. “I’m not a child, and you aren’t going to treat me like one.”
    Her skin was still flushed, and for a moment, he wondered if it was from the pleasure he’d given her.
    The thought nearly derailed him, but he got control of his body and plastered a stern expression onto his face.
    “I’m not treating you like a child. You need to be protected, and we can’t do that if you are in the thick of the fray.”
    “You might as well close your mouth and save your oxygen because I’m not going anywhere. I’ve protected myself my whole life, and if you think I’m going to hand over my independence and act the weak woman, then you’ve got me all wrong.”
    Archer didn’t have time to stand and argue with his stubborn She . He let a low growl of frustration trickle past his lips before he barked at Zane, “Keep her here, and don’t let her get past you no matter how sweetly she asks, or how hard she tries to bully you.” A dark look was thrown at Scarlet.
    His gaze moved to the others who suddenly were looking anywhere but at Scarlet and Archer. “Are you ready?”
    “Yep,” Tate confirmed.
    “Bring it.” Sophia grinned as the others nodded.
    “Let’s go.” Archer opened the door and stepped out into the sunlight.
    He walked up to Geo, keeping a distance of about ten feet between them. He knew how fast Geo could move, and he wanted enough space to react if needed. The other four formed a V behind him—Tate on his left, and Erik on his right. Heath and Sophia flanked them.
    Archer’s grip on the butt of the sawed-off was relaxed. His left hand hung at his side, the wrist sheath ready for release.
    “Imagine it—allies, no friend, squaring off over one little immortal. Give her over, Archer. I’ll forgive your actions from the other night.” Geo’s stance was relaxed. Archer knew it was deceptive. Geo was one of the best fighters in the whole Eternal,