Page 53 of Lady for Embers

And we will, but not today.

He leaned forward, brushing a soft kiss to her lips.

Cyrus cleared his throat loudly. “You two do realize we are about to be ?ghting for our lives, right?”

Scarlett pulled back with a sigh. “Yes, Darling.”

“Just making sure.”

She ?ipped him her middle ?nger as the air shimmered across the deck a moment before Lord Tyndell stepped from the air, the seraph from before at his side. He scanned the deck behind her, his features falling for a moment before hardening.

“My children have decided not to come home, I see,” he said gruf?y.

“They have,” Scarlett replied.

“And our offer of exchange is being rejected as well? Since Callan and Eva are also absent?”

“How observant of you.”

There was a small tilt of lips as the Lord said, “I do so miss your dinner conversation.”

“Where is Alaric with his message?”

“I came ?rst. To see if his presence was necessary.”

“Even if I had agreed, he could still drag his ass here and collect me himself,” she replied. Her shadow armor was tight against her body atop a Witchsuit Hazel had given to her. More shadows swirled along her feet, seeming as restless as she was. She hated the waiting, the anticipation of ?ghting. She was ready to get on with it if it had to happen.

“Always so blood-thirsty, my pet.”

The cruel voice sent a shiver up her spine and had Sorin snarling again, drawing his swords from his back simultaneously.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Scarlett demanded when Mikale appeared beside Lord Tyndell. A huge seraph appeared with him. He was taller than anyone on the ship, his grey wings stretched out behind him. His black hair was tied in a knot on top of his head, and green eyes glared back at her.

“This is her?” the seraph asked, his gaze never leaving hers.

“It is,” Mikale answered.

“Seems a little rude that you know who I am, but I do not know who you are,” Scarlett drawled, her shadows writhing and beginning to take shape behind her. She crossed her arms, her head cocking to the side as she studied the seraph.

“You will become well acquainted with him soon enough, my pet,” Mikale said, his hands sliding into his pockets.

She lifted a hand with a dark grin, white ?ames ?aring to life in her palm. “Does he like ?re as much as his kin?”

“More so,” the seraph returned, his wings ?aring brightly as ?re wound around them with what had to be his own ?re magic.

“Fuck,” she heard Azrael breathe.

“That’s inconvenient,” Cyrus muttered.

“Not the word I would use,” Cassius murmured.

Scarlett clenched her ?st, extinguishing her ?ames and shoving down her frustration. “I’m sure my blades will cut your wings from your body all the same.”

“You will never get close enough with one to ?nd out,” the seraph returned stoically.

“Why are we just standing around talking? What is the message?” Sorin asked tightly.

“It had to be retrieved ?rst,” Lord Tyndell replied.

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