Incendiary by Amy A. Bartol Read Free Book Online Page A

kill anything that shows the least resistance to his will , now. Finn and I won’t be seeing each other for a while after thi s…not until it’s over,” she says , looking like she’s in pain. “So , I’m on my own... well, not really, I’m as rich as sin now, thanks to Finn. He said he’ll fi nd me when this is resolved .”
    “I’m so sorry… ” I trail off when she ho ld s up her hand.
    “Don’t say you’re sorry. Y ou never had a chance…not after Alfred gave Brennus the portrait . ” I cringe , thinking of the portrait painted of me depicting the Goddess Persephone.
    Russell was against me modeling for it. I should’ve listened to him.
    “When will they mount their attack?” Reed asks , trying to get specifics.
    “I don’t know, but it’ ll be soon. Brennus is as impatient and demanding as a two -year-old . I do know a few things , though. Don’t expect them to go easy on you, Eaves. Playtime is over. All the fellas know that they’re allowed to bite you. Brennus thinks that it will help to subdue you because he is aware of how powerful you’re becoming. He said if you’re trippin’, then you’re less of a threat.”
    “But that’s a huge risk for him…someone like Eion has a hard time stopping once he bite s … he could drain me before Brennus can stop him , ” I say , feeling ill remembering how I felt the last time I was bitten.
    A gnawing ache of hunger begins and if I can’t find any animal blood to satisfy the blood lust, the horrific hallucinations follow soon after. Anyone else bitten by the Gancanagh wouldn’t feel this type of pain, because the Gancanagh’s skin drugs him. Only Russell and I would feel the pain intensely.
    “Well, I guess that’s the risk he’s willing to take. He did warn them not to share their blood with you. He wants you as his sclábhaí , his slave. No one else will be your máistir but him,” she says as she shivers . “But he’s not sure he wants that anymore. He swings between killing you slowly , refusing to turn you as you die by degrees , and waiting until the last possible moment to turn you , if you beg him and tell him you love him.”
    My legs feel numb with fear, he aring the plans Brennus has for me. If one of his men bites me, but d oesn’t turn me , I will be in so much pain I will be praying for death to arrive…but it won’t. It will just be intense pain , unless I beg Brennus to end that pain for me…to share his blood with m e. He may even refuse me at that point. He may just leave me in i ntense pain —forever .
    How long will I have to endure that kind of pain ? I wonder , feeling like everything is coming to an end. All my hopes of staying with Reed seem so feeble and naïve.
    “Tell us about their forces, weapons, how will they strike?” Reed asks , his face going blank. He’s in war mode now.
    “They’re having problems…” Molly trails off , and I can see that this is difficult for her. Her loyalties are divided. What she tells us can ultimately harm F inn. “Your a ngel army has been wreaking havoc on the Gancanagh forces. They’re actively hunting all of us n ow…them and your buddies, the F allen.”
    “H e made you targets,” Zephyr says , referring to Brennus.
    “You think?” Molly replies sarcastically. “But, it’s okay …I’ve actually acquired a taste for f allen angels. I figure they have it coming, since they have my soul.”
    “ Brennus is having a hard time mobilizing his forces. Moving them without detection is diffic ult, even with money,” Reed says in a meditative way. “A surgical strike would be easier and quicker. Grab and go.”
    “Or bite and go,” Molly replies . “But, I wouldn’t count on Evie being the only objective. He wants revenge. He wants blood and retribution. You took something that belongs to him and no one gets away with that in our world.”
    “Wh at are you saying?” I ask , feeling nauseous .
    “I’m saying you can’t be a martyr in this one, Eaves.