Page 100 of Seducing Hope (The Hope Legacy)

A low growl comes from Archan. Here we go—alpha male time.

Jed smirks at him. Ha, didn’t expect that; I’m still baffled at the dynamic between the two of them.

I peruse Archan as he approaches, analyzing him from head to toe. He’s wearing a black roll-neck sweater and combat trousers, with boots laced up to his ankles. His hair is tied back, showing his sharp cheekbones and strong jawline. The whole look suits him. But then what wouldn’t?

“Is this your typical fighting attire?” Archan asks. His eyes lighten as he takes in my protective leathers and the swords strapped to my back.

No, nope, not happening. Not here anyway. “Yes. You’ve seen it before, or are you having an ‘ancient’ memory problem?”

A wicked grin curves his lips, as Mr. Arrogant makes a reappearance. “And you have freedom of movement?”

“Yep. Now we’ve appraised my wardrobe can we discuss the plan?”

The newcomer snorts a laugh, flashing me pearly white teeth. “I like her.”

He offers me his hand. I eye it with indecision, but eventually, the etiquette from my upbringing wins over, and I grasp it firmly. A buzz of power licks up my arm and lifts the hairs on my neck. “I’m Natia.”

“Michael.” Ah, the elusive Michael Hunter, Archan’s business partner. An amazing sunshine aura threaded with hints of gold surrounds him.

“Excellent. Now we have enough players for baseball. How’s your pitch, Michael?”

He grins, his eyes crinkling in the corners. “I have a wicked curveball.”

“Archan’s already covered third base, but I think he’s hoping for a home run,” Jed helpfully adds.

I roll my eyes and beat down any embarrassment. “He should count himself lucky if he even gets to play on the team,” I mutter.

Aaden scratches his ear. “I’m so confused… What are we talking about right now?”

Archan shakes his head as if to dispel my presence. Thunder rumbles above us, and the sky steadily turns a deep gray, the promise of rain now a certainty. He glances at the sky then at me with accusing eyes. I smirk. Your fault, buddy. You taught me too well, and I’m a fast learner. I can control the weather.

Zac appears out of thin air and rolls out a map on the hood of the car. “Aw, Zacy. We’ve already sorted out teams. You’ll have to sit on the bench.” I run my eyes over him. Something is different, and the second I realize it, I smirk. “Being the awesome friend that I am, I’m gonna do you a solid and let you know youaren’tin the minority of men that can rock a man bun.”

Michael barks out a laugh as Zac’s stormy eyes harden. He frowns and glances around the stoic faces of the gang. I could hug them for playing along. He huffs and turns back to the map. “We’re going to set up in this warehouse, putting our people here,” he points to a back corner, “and here,” his finger lands on the left wall.

Duncan peers over my shoulder. “Good choice.”

Zac’s eyebrows creep up, and I quickly explain it’s the warehouse Duncan and I often use to trap demons, like Eric. It has two doors, front and back, and no windows; in other words, it’s extremely easy to corner someone in there.

Barney leans on the car and stares at me. “We’ve turned on the power so we can use the lights—he’ll have fewer shadows to hide in.” I scan the nine of us. If we work together, we can get this asshole.

“Don’t underestimate him, Natia. He’s not your average demon. He’s higher level and very dangerous,” Archan cautions.

“Thank you for the warning. I can handle myself.”

“I know you think you can, but—”

I cut him off, sick of the overbearing male routine. “We’ve had this conversation—you underestimateme, piss me off, then—”

He cuts me off this time. “Then I save you.”My hands twitch to reach for my swords; his eyes flick to the movement, and he smirks.Letting the anger flow through me, I fight to control the emotion and power.

“You will wait outside, in case he escapes,” he continues calmly. A surge of power strikes from my head to my toes, making me wobble as a bolt of lightning blasts the ground no more than ten meters behind Archan. I’m connected to it, it belongs to me… and I can make it strike anywhere.

He raises an eyebrow. “A tantrum at this point is unhelpful. Like I said, we will talk about us later.” I stare him down, unblinking.Maybe I’ve finally mastered the death stare?

Jed intervenes before I do something I’ll regret (maybe). “Archan, stop antagonizing the powerful but unstable witch you piss off every time you open your mouth. Natia, stop taking the bait—you’re better than that.”

Zac suddenly gasps.

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