Rise of the Phoenix (Return To Avalore #2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

to the beast beside her. In an instant, her colors shone bright. Pressing her hands to the fallen creature’s chest, she flooded it with energy.
    How dare she use her energy on that beast, knowing that it would bring more Erritrols to the shack? Her light was like a beacon in the dark of night. Did she really hate him so much that she would watch him killed? Did she not care for her own life?
    The creature she had called Argram stood on shaking legs and tilted its head toward Evan. “What of him?”
    Brienne’s gaze, for the first time, swung toward his corner of the room. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open, her strangled cry barely audible over the sounds of battle outside.
    Reaching toward the beast she had come with, she grabbed her necklace, stuffed it into the pocket on her right thigh, and hurried toward Evan. “Take Argram and go.”
    Evan could not tear his gaze from hers. What slight had caused her to despise him like this? He couldn’t remember, could not think straight. Too many days without food or water, and more injuries than he had the strength to heal, left his brain fogged and confused.
    “No, we leave together.” Argram’s hoarse words cemented her treachery further.
    “I said go. Wesken, take him to Herla for healing, and then home to Miga. That’s an order.” She didn’t as much as glance back at them.
    One small hand came up to hover over Evan’s cheek before she pulled it down again and reached in her pocket. The trembling in her fingers and the tear that slid down her cheek didn’t fool him. If anything, it was remnant from finding the one they called Argram in such a state.
    A sharp pang pierced his heart that the vile creature would get a warmer welcome from his mate than he had. When she pulled her hand from her pocket again, a small blade glinted in her hand. It could have been a foot long and the impact would have been the same.
    “Do you think you can stand?” Even as she spoke, the glint of her blade came nearer and nearer. When the cool tip touched his neck, Evan closed his eyes and braced himself. After all he had been through, his own mate would be the one to take his life.
    Soft energy poured into him, easing his pain, baffling his already confused mind. He opened his eyes again to find her hovering by his side, using the sharp little blade to cut through the thick ropes above his wrists. His stone necklace dangled from where she held it between her teeth.
    “We’re going to have to move as soon as you’re free.” Her gaze darted to the door. “We don’t have much time.” Her voice slid into his mind with ease, as though the path was well worn. A loud roar, followed by another, and again one more shook the walls. “They’re coming. Can you use your phoenix yet?” She worked the blade furiously at the rope.
    His muddled thoughts spun in circles. Was she trying to save him? A minute ago, he had been so certain she wanted him dead. The burn of power sizzled in his core. His phoenix wasn’t strong, but in its fury, it would be able to move. The hair at the back of his neck stood on end as the metallic taste of the enemy coated his tongue. They were out of time. “Go.” His order was clear.
    “I’m not one of your men to order about.” The little blade cut through one of the ropes.
    Had he not been in so much pain, and the danger so near, he might have smiled at her impatience. “Stay and we’ll both be strung to the rafters. My injuries are too severe for travel.” It wasn’t a total lie. He would be able to move, but not for long.
    Her gaze went to the door again before she faced him shoulders squared and chin held high. “I said no. Now you can help me and we both get out alive, or you can be stubborn and we both die. You choose, mate .”
    The way she said the word made it clear she wasn’t thrilled about being his, but then, he already knew that. Another long, high-pitched howl resonated in the air. Her eyes widened, and then she was off running