Anew: The Archers of Avalon, Book One Read Online Free PDF Page B

evil.”
    Tristan looked at the ceiling in frustration and started pacing the room again. “I understand you have a moral dilemma with my plan, but don’t act so righteous.” He looked at Gabriel. “I’m just doing what you’re not brave enough to do yourself.”
    Gabriel made a face of disgust. “Murder doesn’t make you brave, Tristan. It makes you desperate.”
    Tristan squared his jaw. “I am desperate.”
    Desperate to be free of the torment that tore at his soul day after day, begging for Scarlet.
    Desperate for peace.
    Gabriel shook his head. “You’re desperate and you’re heartless.”
    Tristan laughed softly, his heart kicking at the irony of Gabriel’s words. “Don’t. I. Wish.”
    Maybe if Tristan didn’t have a heart, the pain and longing that plagued him wouldn’t be quite as unbearable. Maybe if he didn’t have a heart, he could get some sleep at night.
    But Tristan had a heart, and it was currently throbbing in pain.
    Because Scarlet was far away.
    Gabriel shook his head. “Whatever. Go ahead and carry-out your wicked plan. But don’t expect me to support you.”
    Tristan twisted his lips. “I never would.”
    “And don’t expect me to back out of Scarlet’s life. I’ve waited long enough.”
    Tristan stopped pacing and folded his arms. “What are you going to do, then? Just lie to her?”
    “I don’t know. But I’ll figure it out. Tell your evil heart to relax.”
    Tristan flexed a muscle in his jaw.
    Gabriel knew nothing about Tristan’s heart, evil or otherwise. It was the best—and worst—part of their relationship.
    Tristan shook his head. “Whatever you do, just don’t let her know you have a brother. I don’t want to meet her.”
    Gabriel shrugged. “Fine.” He clicked on the TV and sat down.
    Tristan turned and headed for the kitchen.
    Gabriel would get to see Scarlet. Talk to her. Love her….
    It would happen. Tristan couldn’t stop it.
    And, if he really cared about Scarlet, he shouldn’t stop it.
    But that didn’t make the thought of them together any less gut-wrenching.
    Tristan stared blankly at the floor as a piece of his heart broke.
    His very real, very existent heart.
    And so it begins.

3
    Late Saturday afternoon, Scarlet stood in her bra and underwear making a face at herself in her bedroom mirror, while Heather rummaged around in Scarlet’s closet. Heather had demanded Scarlet “not move” until she found the perfect outfit. 
    But that was ten minutes ago.
    “You know it’s a Kissing Festival, not a Naked Festival, right? I’m gonna have to wear clothes, Heather.” Despite the summer sun setting through her bedroom window, Scarlet shivered.
    Heather’s voice came muffled from behind the many clothes Laura had bought Scarlet when she first took custody of her. “Keep your pants on! I’m trying to create a masterpiece here!”
    “I would be more than happy to keep my pants on but, oh, that’s right, I don’t have any pants on.”
    Heather’s perfectly shadowed eyes and glossy lips poked out from Scarlet’s walk-in closet. “Do you want to look fabulous, or do you want to look like curtains?”
    “I want to be warm. At least throw me a bathrobe, or a parka, or a mink coat or something.”
    “Oh, honey, I would not be surprised if I found a mink coat in here. Shoot, I wouldn’t be surprised if I found a whole mink in here.” A moment of silence passed as Heather looked within the depths of Scarlet’s ridiculously over-sized closet. She poked her face out again. “What is a mink, anyway? Is it, like, a woodland creature or something?”
    Scarlet shot Heather an impatient look. “I have no idea, but I bet a mink could pick out an outfit faster than you.”
    Heather disappeared into the sea of clothes again and muttered, “I doubt it. You have more clothes than me. And I earn a paycheck solely to support my shopping habits.”
    Heather worked at The Millhouse, a local coffee shop, and hosted a let’s-buy-Heather-more-clothes