Free Incendiary (The Premonition Series (Volume 4)) by Amy A. Bartol Page A

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    “Oh,” I murmur, feeling confused. I turn toward the fire and m y wings move in agitation. A groan sounds from the bed behind me. Looking over my shoulder at Reed, my eyebrow ri se s in question.
    “I’m trying to have a serious conversation with you , Evie, but it’s really difficult when you look so tempti ng…” he says , holding up his hand to indicate me in front of the fire, completely naked.
    “Oh!” I say, startled. I move to the bed, pulling the sheet from it and wrapping it around me.
    “Better?” I ask as I cover up .
    Shak ing his head , he says , “No t really , but it will have to do.”
    A reluctant smile touches my lips, before I ask , “Who did you talk to at Dominion?”
    “ Preben, but our conversation was interrupted when Tau learned that h e was speaking to me,” Reed explains .
    “ You spoke to Tau?” I ask with my voice becoming breathless .
    “Yes, he was uncharacteristically agitated for a Seraph ,” he smiles .
    “What do you mean?” I ask .
    “ Seraphim are know n for their cool demeanor. Tau threatened to shred me if I didn’t let him talk to you,” he replies .
    My eyes go wide, “Wh at did you say to that?” I ask .
    “I told him I’d tell you and if you want to speak to him, you ’ ll call him back,” he replies , watching me and assessing my body language. “I have his number.”
    “ What does he want?” I sit down on the edge of the bed. Reed reaches out and takes my hand.
    “You,” he replies , rubbing his thumb over my skin .
    “Why?” I watch R eed’ s expression soften .
    “I don’t know…maybe it’s because you’ re his daughter,” he murmurs .
    “What do you think I should do?” My unoccupied hand toy s with the end of my sheet.
    “Call him,” he says without hesitation.
    My throat becomes tight. “Why?” I pull my hand from his.
    “He might have the answers we need regarding why you’re here— your mission. He is also a great angel. H is prowess is legendary . W e c ould learn many things from him…” he trails off when he sees my scowl.
    “You respect him?” I ask , not being able to contain the edge in my voice.
    “Of course. H e is one of the most courageous angels to have ever been created, Evie. When there is a parley between Sheol and Paradise, it is often T au who is sent to speak to the F a llen…alone…in Sheol,” he replies .
    “So , he’s a good comm unicator. Bravo for him,” I say sourly.
    “ It takes more than communication skills to enter Sheol. You know that. It takes the kind of courage that not many possess. You should not judge him until you have the facts , and you cannot get the facts un til you speak to him,” Reed says , leaning to me and stroking my hair.
    “Well, if you’re going to be all rational about it,” I mumble sullenly, still picking at the sheet.
    “Yo u could call him now,” Reed says , taking me in his arms and pulling me back to his chest.
    “No, I’ m tired now…maybe later,” I say , resting my head against Reed’s chest again , watching the fire dance .
    “Then rest, love,” Reed says , continuin g to stroke my hair until I fall asleep in his arms.
    **
    I awa ke to shafts of sunlight casting a glow over my bed. Stirring, I lift my head, seeing Reed sitting next to me reading an old, worn book. Smiling sleepil y, I sigh almost inaudibly the word, “Hungry,” as I stretch out my limbs.
    Tossing his book on the bedside table, Reed says, “Me, too,” and begi n s nibbling on my neck. Squirming as his mouth tickles me, I laugh and pull him closer.
    “Who needs food?” I ask , nipping gently at the skin of his shoulder. Reed mak e s love to me again in the shafts of sunlight of the perfect morning. Sometime later, while lying in Reed’s arms, my stomach growls noisily.
    My eyes grow wide as Reed ’s face hovers above mine. “I am starving you,” he s ays contritely.
    “Yes, you are,” I agree , not making any excuses for him.
    “ Then, let’s go eat,” he