Dead of Winter by Kresley Cole Read Free Book Online Page A

you one at a time tonight.”
    â€œTonight,” I quickly said.
    â€œThe problem is that we go one at a time on the return leg as well.”
    â€œWe need to get to Jack, now—hell or high water, and all that.” I turned to Matthew. “Any tips? Anything you’d like to tell me about our mission?”
    â€œI already did.” He cast me a look of pure confusion. “Carousel? Struck? Ah! You listen poorly!”
    Had he ever been this exasperated with me before? “Of course, sweetheart. I just meant anything in addition to that. Hey, maybe you could tell me how long till Violet closes in?”
    â€œIn a way, she’s here.”
    â€œWhat does that mean? I thought we had more time before the twins joined up.” Had they already begun Jack’s torture?
    â€œShe’s here, in a way.” He’d just reversed his words.
    My breaths shallowed. “Gabriel, I’ll cross with you first—and last on the way back.” I turned to Finn. “Get to work.”
    â€œOn it.” He rolled his head on his neck. “You guys will be able to see each other, but to everyone else, you’ll look like soldiers.” He began to chant in his mysterious magician language, the air blurring at his lips.
    By the time he’d finished, the four of us looked like unshaven, middle-aged men armed with machine guns.
    Finn had grown even paler. “Just try not to get too stressed. Sweating and increased heart rates affect my illusions. Good luck, guys.”
    â€œThanks, Magician.” I hastened outside, the others following.
    Gabriel crossed to stand before me. “Empress, are you ready?”
    I was putting a ton of trust in him, an Arcana. Though I owed Lark, her betrayal had done a number on me. “Uh, ready.”
    When Gabriel gripped me under my arms, Selena jerked her chin at me. “See you on the other side.” She knew I was having doubts.
    The trues only worked in this fort. Once we left, Gabriel could drop me in the drink.
    For the High Priestess to drag down to the abyss.
    I could use my body vine, the one that grew from my skin, to tether myself to him, but that might screw with Finn’s illusion. I would risk a dip to save Jack. I would risk anything.
    â€”in our own way, in our own way.—
    The Lovers’ call. It was loud because of proximity, but sounded staticky. “Let’s go, Gabriel!”
    Without warning, he shot into the air, making my stomach plunge. I squeezed my eyes tight, fighting not to shriek.
    â€œThere’s nothing to be frightened of,” he said. “You can look now.”
    I cracked open my lids. “Wh-why are we going so high?” We seemed to be a mile above the river. Up here, the winds were gale force. Were we making progress at all? Hovering in place?
    â€œI don’t know the Priestess’s reach.” Another Arcana secret. “Better safe than sorry.” His voice sounded strained. From the pain in his wing? What if it gave out?
    My heart was thundering. With his acute senses, he could surely hear it.
    â€œFor all that you’re the Empress, you’re still a regular girl, aren’t you?”
    I’d revealed a fear of heights. Had they thought me fearless before?
    I squinted against the wind, gazing back at the fort. Outside the minefield, I could make out lighter dots across black ground. The stone forest. After the Flash, men lacked cover for shootouts; instead of—oh, I don’t know—not shooting at each other, they’d built rock trees.
    Gabriel followed my gaze. “From up on high, I see things that can’t be random—shapes, designs, clues—all the time.”
    I blinked again. From here, those white stacks kind of looked like stars in an inky sky.
    â€œEmpress, I have the senses of both angel and animal, and I recognize the gods’ return.”
    â€œUm, okay?” Cult crazy, cult crazy, I’m about to die.
    â€œNo