Free Eternal Echoes, Emblem of Eternity Trilogy Book 2 by Angela Corbett Page B

I was alone with Alex, I’d probably want the same things from him. I was lost in thought and hadn’t noticed the car was stopped until Emil said, “Is there a problem, Aaron?”
    I looked out the window. Detour signs had taken us down a deserted side-street. There were no other cars in front of us. I turned in the seat to look out the back window—no one was there either. A sour feeling settled in my stomach and started working its way up my chest. I glanced at Emil, his lips were pursed and his body tense.
    Aaron turned around. “I followed the detour signs, but I somehow ended up here and it’s a dead end.” He turned to look out the side windows. “I apologize, Mr. Stone. I’ll find another way out.” He put the car in reverse, slowly starting to back up. I saw his gaze go to the rearview mirror as we moved. Suddenly he stopped the car, his eyes locked on the mirror. Confusion flashed over his face at first, followed by the distinct wide-eyed panic of fear.
    Emil and I shared a glance before turning around. Walking down the lightless street headed straight for our car were eight dark figures. It was too dark to tell anything more about them, but the feeling in the pit of my stomach was enough to know this wasn’t going to be an invitation to join them for milk and cookies.
    Emil turned back to me. “Whatever happens, stay in the car.”
    I opened my mouth slightly, my eyes huge. “So you’re planning to fight them all on your own?”
    “Not on my own. I have Aaron.”
    I spared a glance up front. Aaron was turned around, his focus shifting from the group outside to me and Emil. His eyes held a thread of guilt and I suddenly realized he worked for the Daevos. Of course he did. The plane was probably theirs too. Emil was wealthy, but as far as I knew, the network of people he counted on were all involved with the Daevos. It made sense that things like cars, houses, and private planes belonged to them too. I’d been so awestruck by Emil’s lavish date that I hadn’t put two-and-two together. “Aaron is a Daevos member?”
    Emil nodded, directing his attention forward. “We need to find out what’s going on, and what they want.”
    “Uh, maybe they’re a gang that wants to stab us and steal our fancy car,” I suggested.
    Emil shook his head. “I doubt it.”
    I didn’t. This wasn’t the best part of town and we were in an $80,000 car with tinting so dark we looked like little lost drug lords.
    “I just wanted us to have one drama free evening.” He worked his jaw. “It almost happened.”
    I didn’t begrudge him that. I wanted a drama free night too. Lately, I considered it a good day if I got a drama free hour.
    Emil leaned forward in his seat. “They’re probably the Denver Daevos Clan. Maybe they’re wondering why we’re in their area. We’ll explain, and it won’t be a big deal.”
    I snorted. “Yeah, I’m sure that’s exactly what’s going to happen.”
    Emil looked at me, worry lining his face. “I don’t want you involved in this, Evie. Let me see what they want.”
    “But I can help!” I countered. I was sick of being treated like I couldn’t take care of myself. Especially when I’d saved Alex and Emil from Caleb’s Clan in the Black Canyon cave.
    Emil nodded. “I know. But we’re trying to keep your powers a secret. I’d rather not let them find out about your skills unless there’s no other choice. If it looks like we’re in trouble, I’ll raise my hand to signal you. If that happens, get out and do the same thing you did last time: use your mind to tell them to freeze.”
    He opened the door. Aaron followed. “And if you have to help, please be careful, Evie. I can’t lose you again.”
    The smell of paint hit me as Emil closed the door, and an uneasy feeling settled over me. I watched as Emil and Aaron started walking, large flakes of snow falling softly around them. I wrung my hands, worried. Being outside to help fight would be far better than sitting in