Free Caution to the Wind: Book One of the Elementals Series by F. R. Southerland Page B

funeral,” Avery said.
    Loren didn’t want to picture that. “So someone fired a gun at you and you were shot—”
    “Not quite.” Avery glanced down at his hands, flexing them before he gripped the edge of the bed. “It wasn’t a gun. It was an arrow.”
    “What?”
                  “Two arrows, actually. I was on the rooftop. I never saw who shot me, but I felt it. The first arrow hit. I managed to duck before the second one could strike. That’s when I stumbled back too far and fell off the roof.”
    “Oh God.”
    “Luckily, I landed in a dumpster. Garbage broke my fall.” Avery tightened his hands on the mattress. His knuckles were white.
    Without thinking, Loren edged forward in her seat. She placed her hand on one of his. She flushed when he looked to her and held her gaze. She didn’t move.
    Callum spoke up. “It concerns me how you were deliberately attacked.” When Loren glanced over at him, she was uncertain what to make of the look on his face. Disapproval mixed with something else. His lips tightened.
    Loren drew her hand back into her lap and looked down.
    Avery shifted on the bed and his feet met the floor. “Someone shot at me twice. They weren’t doing it for shits and giggles.” He picked up his soiled shirt and stepped over to throw it in the trash.
    “And no doubt you have a long list of people you’ve pissed off while playing your little game. It could be anyone. How do we begin to narrow it down?” There was a note of sarcasm in Callum’s voice.
    “It’s not a game.”
    “Clearly.” Callum looked at Loren. “I won’t argue the point. Not tonight.”
    “Fine.”
    There was a terse silence. Loren looked between them.
                  “You’re certain you saw no one?” Callum asked.
    “Not even a glimpse.” Without looking at either of them, Avery crossed to a cabinet and opened it. Loren caught sight of towels and various other linens. He snatched up a plain white t-shirt and pulled it over his head.
    “Someone knew you’d be there. Someone’s been watching you.”
    “Someone’s been watching the Shadow, not me. I highly doubt they know who I really am.”
    “You can’t be sure of that.” Callum’s eyebrow lifted. “Were you followed?”
    “No, of course not.”
    “Are you sure?”
    Avery pursed his lips slightly, looking far less than certain. He lifted a shoulder. “I was bleeding out. I… may not have been very concerned with being discovered at the time.”
    Callum rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I can’t believe this.”
    “Well, if the puncture wounds weren’t proof enough, I don’t know what the fuck is.”
    He shot Avery a piercing look. “You know what I mean. I don’t like this. Any of this. If someone was watching you, it’s possible they followed you. It was risky before, but now…” Callum trailed off and glanced toward Loren. He shook his head. “We can’t compromise anything.”
    “I know that.” Avery crossed his arms.
    “Which is why I don’t want you to go out into the city again.”
    Avery’s eyebrow went up.  “Excuse me?”
    “I don’t want you to go into the city again.” Callum was firm.
    “Ever?”
    “I’d prefer that.”
    Avery scoffed. “Unlikely. Are you ordering me?”
    Callum gave his brother a tight-lipped smile. “No. I know you’re stubborn and won’t follow if I did. I’m asking. Nicely.”
    “You forgot to add please.” 
    Callum sighed. “At least refrain from it while I’m on my business trip? I can’t fly back from Spain at a moment’s notice to heal you again.”
    Avery placed a hand over his heart. “Oh, you care so much.”
    He received another pointed look. “Avery, please be sensible. Don’t go into the city while I’m gone.”
    He debated it then gave a curt nod. “I’ll do my best.”
    “Thank you.” The words were tense. Callum faced Loren and mustered a small smile. It didn’t meet his eyes. “It’s been quite an evening.”
    It had been quite