Free Immortal Awakening: Immortal Heart by Magen McMinimy Page B

to peak over the horizon. He yanked on a pair of pants and pulled a long-sleeved thermal over his head. He tied his hair back and shoved his feet into his boots. Once tied, he reached for his sword and exited his room.
    Jogging down the hall, he began pounding on the warrior’s doors, one by one, and telling them to get their asses to the front courtyard. He narrowed his eyes as Makyle’s door swung open.
    “What happened?” Makyle questioned, pulling a dark shirt over his head.
    “Nothing for you to worry about,” Cree said, stopping at his door and locking his hard gaze with Makyle’s.
    “Are you trying to intimidate me?” he asked sardonically.
    “Do you feel intimidated?” Cree countered.
    “No, I never feel intimidated, and I have more power in my one hand then the lot of you combined. I should be out there.”
    “What you need to do is get back in that room and wait for my return.”
    Makyle stared at him briefly, then stepped out into the hall.
    “Get back in that room. Now!” Cree ordered with a curled lip.
    Makyle chuckled as he closed the door, leaving Samira in the room. “My brothers are here.”
    Cree dipped his chin. “They will be soon. And until I see fit to come get you, you will remain hidden in this castle.”
    “Is that so?” Makyle asked with an arched brow. “I don’t do well with orders, Cree.”
    Cree smirked, but the twist of his lips didn’t speak of humor. “I am more than aware of that, Makyle, but the fact is, they have no way of knowing for sure that you are here, so you will stay in the shadows while my warriors and I deal with them. If we need you, someone will come for you. Before you argue, I will remind you that this is my domain you are in, and it’s my rules that govern this castle. So get back in your room and wait.”
    The door creaked open, and Samira stepped out to grasp Makyle’s wrist. “Please, Makyle, do as he asks. Let’s just see what they want before you go out there and piss them off.”
    Makyle tilted his head as he turned to look at her. “What makes you think my first intention would be to piss them off?”
    She shook her head and pulled him back into the room. “Because I know you.” From the doorway, she smiled. “I got this, Cree. Go.”
    Makyle’s brow remained arched as Samira closed the door. “You got this, do you?”
    “Yes, I do. You are going to, for probably the first time in your life, do what is asked of you.”
    Makyle just stared at her.
    “Don’t look at me like that. There is more to all of this than just your brothers.”
    “Kadar,” he stated with understanding. “I’m not going to abandon you to him.”
    “Well, if you go out there half-cocked with attitude, you will piss them off.”
    Makyle’s hands rose in defeat. “You’re right. However, I plan to be prepared for the chance that I need to go deal with them.”
    Samira nodded and slid her feet into her shoes. “Then let’s be ready.”
    “I didn’t say you should be ready.”
    She shrugged. “Someone has to be there to reign in your arrogance.”
    Makyle sighed but didn’t bother arguing.
     
    ****
    “Look alive, gentlemen,” Cree called out, as they all stood in the courtyard, flanking him.
    Holly and Izzy both cleared their throats. Cree shot a quick apologetic smile at the two.
    Lothar shook his head, and Bain chuckled.
    “You stay quiet and calm. You got it, Iz?” Bain warned.
    Izzy rolled her eyes. “I’m not stupid, Bain. I have no desire to challenge three gods right now.”
    “Demi-gods,” Kale whispered.
    “Semantics, brother,” Uriah muttered. “We need to try and settle this without a fight.”
    “Focus,” Lothar interjected.
    Josiah, Zarek and Alistair landed hard against the cobblestone ground, the land shaking from the impact.
    “You were expecting us,” Zarek noted, as he straightened his back, his harsh amber eyes scrutinizing their surroundings.
    Cree dipped his chin. “And just like last time you appeared in our domain,