Indebted by Amy A. Bartol Read Free Book Online Page B

now, maybe later,” I reply, feeling exhausted from the effort to control my new ability. But, as I say this, something in Phaedrus’ look makes me ask, “Is something wrong?”
    “No, it’s just that I’m not sure how much longer I will be here to help you,” Phaedrus replies with a puzzled expression on his face.
    My eyebrows pull together. “You’re leaving?” I ask in a sad tone, squeezing his hand tighter. I had hoped that Phaedrus would want to stay with us. He has become part of our circle quite quickly, more quickly than anyone else could, since we are all so tight now.
    “I don’t know,” Phaedrus says in a frustrated tone. “I am getting really strange signals. I am not sure what I am supposed to be doing and it is very irritating because that has never happened to me before.”
    “What do you mean?” I ask, letting go of his hand and seeing his brow knit.
    “You know how I told you that I see images in my head, pictures of a target that I’m to help?” When I nod, he continues. “Well, I get these pictures and then I set out to find my target. The closer I get to the target, the warmer it gets. Conversely, the farther away the colder I feel.”
    “Right, like you said before, it’s like a game of ‘hot and cold’ for you,” I reply.
    “That is correct. I am getting images of a new target that needs my help,” he says.
    “Oh,” I say with disappointment. I was hoping that I would remain his target to aid. Since he is an angel of mercy, a Virtue angel, who is sent to execute miracles for his targets, I like having him around.
    “Yes, but here is the disturbing part of all of this. The further I get from you, the colder I feel,” he says in confusion.
    “You mean, you can’t set out to find the person that you are seeing in your head because I keep drawing you back to me?’ I ask.
    “Yes. I have several theories as to why this is happening, but I have come up with no definitive answer yet,” he admits.
    My mind furiously attacks the puzzle that Phaedrus just presented to me. I could be in greater danger than the other target, and therefore, in greater need of Phaedrus’ help. Or, I could just be a draw for him by my very nature, blocking out the other target. My mind shifts again as I think that maybe I’m meant to go with Phaedrus on his next mission. Maybe he can’t leave me because I’m supposed to help him—go with him.
    “I had not thought of that, Evie,” Phaedrus murmurs, reading all of my thoughts as if I had been speaking them aloud. “I have never had a partner before, it would be unusual for that to be the case.”
    “Who is your target?” I ask him out of curiosity.
    “I don’t have names, just faces,” Phaedrus says, sounding frustrated. “It is all very strange. I don’t know how I am to find them if I cannot follow my senses to them.”
    “Them? There is more than one target?” I ask.
    “Yes,” he replies, deep in thought. I was just about to ask him more questions regarding his pending mission when I hear a growl coming from outside. A part of my mind is constantly monitoring what is going on around me. Even though I can’t understand any of the conversations taking place outside in the courtyard, I listen anyway. I know that growl , I think as I bolt to the door to find Reed. It only takes me seconds to see him where my clone had just left him by the tree, but he is no longer alone. Scores of Powers are surrounding him, causing me to stiffen. They arrived so silently, I hadn’t even heard them coming.
    My wings force their way out of my back as I realize Reed is alone amid Powers from Dominion. Plucking one of the wicked-sharp swords off the wall near the door, I turn and stride out into the courtyard, calling over my shoulder to Phaedrus, “Get Zee.” As I approach the mob of angels by the tree, all eyes turn to focus on me. I scan the crowd, seeing several faces that I recognize from my stay at the chateau. Foremost among them is Preben, the