Ebony Fight (The Guard Duet Book 2) by Natalie Herzer Read Free Book Online Page B

on the porch.
    Bracing her hands on her knees, Lillian got her breath back. A bright smile split her face when she straightened. “Hey guys. And girl.”
    It took the boys a while to close their gaping mouths and get their tongues to work.
    “Holy. Crap. Girl you are so hot.”
    “Nice to see you too, Wes.” Lillian winked at him.
    Sam shook off his shock. “Damn Lillian. I heard you could fly, but seeing is…”
    “Believing?”
    His incredulity still bright on his face, he laughed and shrugged sheepishly. “Kinda, yeah.”
    “Training has been a pain in the ass. I finally wanted to see whether it’s helping any.”
    “Does it hurt?” Abby asked.
    “Honesty?”
    “Yes.”
    Lillian laughed. “My back’s on fire. Muscles there I never knew existed.” Despite her words, her eyes were aglow with the thrill of flight. “But it’s definitely worth it.”
    “Awesome.” Wes clapped his hands with a sudden idea. “Been to Heaven yet? Bet they are pissing themselves at the thought of an Ivory up there.”
    For the blink of an eye Abby saw the edge of sadness in Lillian’s before her friend had pushed it back under her control. “No. Not yet.” Looking at Sam, Lillian quickly changed the subject and concentrated on the reason for her impromptu visit. “Anyway, how is it going here? I take it Abby clued you in.”
    “Yes, she did. And you can count on my help.” He turned to his Guard and added, “I only speak for myself here. This is not one of our usual jobs, so the choice is entirely yours.”
    Wes slapped his hand on Sam’s shoulder. “That’s really cool and honorable and all that shit, man, but let’s keep it like usual. There’s a reason you’re the leader, after all. You’re the brains, we’re the muscle.”
    Dave cut in, “Talk for yourself, please.”
    Ignoring him, Wes went on, a big and eager smile on his face. “Point is we are a team. And I for one can’t wait to get out of this safe house and onto the road again.”
    This time Dave nodded. “True. We can’t let the two of you go on your own. If things go downhill, you’ll be outnumbered. Easy pickings.”
    “Gee, aren’t you a bundle of joy. Again.” Wes rolled his eyes theatrically.
    Smiling at the typical back and forth between Wes and Dave, Lillian turned to Sam, “Thank you. I mean it. Perfect timing, too, ‘cause we need all the help we can get.” Her eyes gained a serious and hard glint. “Dave brought up a very valid point. Matt, Joshua and Becca got attacked last night…by Megan’s Guard.”
    For a second Abby wondered whether she had heard right, but then reminded herself that they were talking about Megan here. That woman saw everything as a competition and had been ruthless from day one. “What the hell? Why?”
    “She doesn’t quite agree with the new friends we’ve made.”
    Meaning Becca and Quinn in particular and demons in general, Abby guessed.
    “Megan’s guard won’t be the only hostile one,” Dave cut in. “We have to be prepared for that.”
    Wes groaned, rubbing a hand across his face and shaking his head at his friend. “I’ll repeat: Bundle. Of. Joy.”
    Lillian ignored Wes’ comment and faced Sam again. “Dave’s right. That’s why I came here to warn you. And I’m glad that you’ll be a full guard and not just Abby and you. Years of indoctrination won’t disappear overnight.” To Abby she continued, “Remember, it took us a while to trust or even believe Becca and Quinn as well. Also, when you’re meeting with other guards, make sure they understand that we’re not suddenly considering every demon as innocent. We just know that some are. Okay?”
    Abby grinned back at her. “Yes, boss.”
    “Good. By the way, which guard do you guys want to check out first?”
    Abby looked at Sam for help. They hadn’t discussed their plan of action yet. She would have suggested Linda, the oldest of their kind. Forty-two years, still alive and kicking; it was a record. Given her long