Unfrozen (Eternal Book 6)

by Evi Asher

  “I know.” Jericho dropped down onto the floor next to her and pulled her close.

  Colt stood staring in amazement until he felt Angelica worm her way under his arm. He pulled her close, taking comfort from her support.

  He couldn’t hurt Malta now, no matter how much she deserved it. If Jericho loved her, Colt wouldn’t harm her at all.

  “Stay the fuck away from me, Malta. You got it?”

  She nodded. She was coughing too much to answer him in any other way.

  “Jericho, we need your help in Radcliff. I need to get rid of another parasite.” He spat the last word. “Consider it a debt paid, since I’m not going to kill your female.”

  “I would have done it anyway,” Jericho said quietly, still holding Kate.

  “Meet us outside in half an hour. We’ll take the snow machines. The sooner we do this, the better.”

  With that, Colt turned, Angelica still tucked under his arm, and walked away from Jericho and the evil bitch he’d chosen to love.

  Chapter Eleven

  They dismounted the snowmobiles outside of the caved-in mine entrance. Angelica looked over the rag-tag group. Laz and Athera had ridden together, Angelica had ridden behind Colt, and Jericho had brought Malta—without her disguise now—with him.

  It was strange to see the phoenix without her blonde hair, and Colt kept sending killing glances their way.

  Athera and Laz hadn’t been happy when they heard Malta wasn’t dead. In fact, they had argued that Malta was rotten to the core and deserved to die.

  Colt had ignored them both. He’d made his decision, and her male wasn’t going to change his mind. Angelica had better get used to seeing Malta around the village if she was going to be staying there, and right now, not even a clan of trolls could drag Angelica away from Colt.

  They touched as often as they could, and the longing glances he kept sending her way, made her warm in all the best places.

  He’d whispered in her ear just before they left that when everything was sorted out and they’d gotten rid of Michael, he was planning on locking them both up in the cabin for a week and not letting her out of bed for the entire time. She’d blushed, but she hoped he hadn’t been joking.

  It had taken more than a half an hour to get going because Laz had vanished off to Sarah’s place. He’d come running, carrying a bag, and refused to tell them what was in it.

  Now they were here, and Angelica’s stomach was doing acrobatics. She wanted this over with as soon as possible. She wanted to start her life with Colt with no ghost hanging between them, in any sense of the word.

  “Let’s get to work.” He moved toward the entrance of the mine—the one that had caved in burying all those people alive so many years ago. Just the thought of that made Angelica sad, so she looked around instead.

  Snow covered the ground and the tree line was about eighty feet away, as if the trees didn’t want to impose on the final resting place of so many souls.

  Colt, Laz and Jericho were digging up the rocks and rubble in the mine entrance, making good time as they worked.

  Angelica was trying not to get mesmerized by how Colt’s muscles were working under the thin tee-shirt he’d stripped down to.

  She had to keep an eye—and every other sense—alert to the possibility of another ghost attack. Surprisingly, there was none. The ghosts seemed to want them to go into the mine.

  “They are almost done,” Athera said next to her and Angelica jumped in fright.

  “Gees, wound up much?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Wouldn’t you be?”

  Athera looked down at Angelica’s hands and she realized she was rotating the signet ring on her thumb. “Yeah, I want it off.”

  “Don’t blame you.” Athera dipped her head in Malta’s direction. The other phoenix was standing off to the side. “Why is she here?”

  “I didn’t ask and I won’t, as long as she stays away from Colt and me.”

  Athera snorted. “Away from all of us, because I’m itching to make her sleep with the fishes.”

  “We have to do something about the amount of movies you’ve been watching. Maybe get you a boyfriend or something,” Angelica joked.

  Athera grinned. “Oh, I have someone in mind for the position already.”

  “Who?”

  “Not telling yet. I still have to convince him it’s a good idea.”

  Angelica laughed. Only Athera would want a man who wasn’t on board with the plan.

  “Is it Laz?” Angelica looked at the tall and gorgeous necromancer.

  Athera snorted again. “He’s hot. I’m not denying it, but my guy is so much hotter.”

  “Do I know him?” Angelica knew she was pushing it, but she didn’t care.

  “I’m going to plead the fifth on that.”

  “Plead the what?” Angelica frowned.

  “Never mind. They are in. Let’s go.”

  Angelica and Athera started walking toward the mine opening. A sense of dread was building in her body. She needed a distraction. “Did you find out why Archer and Scarlet went home?”

  “Yes. Apparently, Dimi called them. He needed them back on a special case—and before you ask…no, I don’t know what it was.”

  They reached the men and Colt pulled Angelica into his arms. “Are you ready for this?”

  “No.”

  He smiled and kissed her softly on the lips. “I’m with you, Gelibean. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  “I know.” She tiptoed up and kissed him. “Let’s go.”

  Malta joined them and they made their way down into the mine.

  It was tough going, and Angelica tried not to see the bones that were scattered around the entrance. They moved in deeper and Athera lit her hand while the men lit torches. Angelica was too nervous to try to call on her flame right now.

  The walls were dirt and stone, held up by wooden pillars that looked rotten.

  She tried not to feel claustrophobic, but it felt like the walls were closing in on her.

  The passage moved down and then leveled out, opening up into a larger area filled with supports. Human bones covered the floor and she felt the bile rise in her throat.

  How could someone do this to other people?

  They took up positions in the middle of the room, in a rough circle.

  “Michael!” she called out, anger making her brave.

  The ghost appeared in the middle of the circle, looking smug, and Angelica felt a flash of worry. What was he up to?

  The second he appeared, Laz took out his bundle. He retrieved bones out of it as well as a piece of charred wood. He started chanting in that low voice immediately.

  “We are in the mine, so let me take off the ring now.”

  Angelica was so focused on Michael that she was shocked when Laz took her hand and held a finger. He used a small knife and sliced into it, drawing blood.

  “Ouch.”

  “What are you doing, Laz?” Colt barked.

  “Trust me,” he said as he wiped the blood on the bone and started chanting again.

  “Your necromancer has no power over me here. This is the site of my curse. I have all the power here,” Michael said.

  Laz ignored him and continued chanting, his voice raising an octave.

  Angelica lifted her hands and grasped the signet ring in her other hand. She twisted and pulled, and the ring came off. She wanted to cry in relief. Instead, she tossed the ring right at the ghost.

  “Is that it? Is that all we came for?” Malta sounded smug. “I could have stayed home and washed my hair, should have anyway, this is a waste of time.”

  “Be quiet Ka—Malta,” Jericho warned.

  Colt growled low. “We are leaving now, ghost. Stay here and be haunted by those you killed.

  As if on cue, the other ghost started to materialize around the cavern.

  Angelica felt goose bumps climb her arms and rise on her scalp. She was beginning to hate ghosts.

  A low keening starte
d and everyone looked nervous.

  “You won’t stop me.” Michael spun where he stood, shouting at the ghosts. “I will have what you stole from me.”

  He lurched forward and grabbed Angelica’s upper arms.

  She screamed. It felt like the life was draining from her, and with every nanosecond that passed, she was feeling weaker.

  Colt was trying to get the spirit off her, but Michael was intangible and Colt couldn’t get a hold.

  “NATAO!” Laz shouted and dropped the bone and the charred wood. Michael let go of Angelica as his body spun. “No! I will have her!”

  He lurched and fell, but as he fell, he grabbed Malta in a terrifying embrace. The phoenix screamed as Michael started to suck the life from her. She burst into flames, but it made the process move faster. Michael was becoming solid.

  Angelica realized that Malta was suffering the fate the ghost had meant for her. He’d wanted her life force all along, and that was why he wanted her back at the mine, where he had the power to do it.

  Everything was going in slow motion. Angelica watched Colt and Jericho trying to pull Michael off Malta, but by the time they could get a grip on Michael, it was too late. He was solid and Malta had vanished as if she’d never existed.

  Colt stumbled back, shock all over his face.

  Jericho roared and transformed into his polar bear form.

  He reared back, knocking Athera off her feet as he attacked Michael.

  The now human Michael had a moment to gloat before Jericho’s ice-bear ripped him to pieces. Blood and gore splattered the cavern and Angelica ducked down. Colt was there covering her body with his.

  She peeked up from under Colt and saw Laz grinning.

  “What did you do?” she whispered to the necromancer.

  He looked down at her, a smile still playing on his lips. “Remember I’m just a little evil.” He paused before admitting, “I switched his focus. Couldn’t stop him, but I could make him focus on someone else, someone who had evil in her soul, just like he did.”

  Angelica felt like thanking him and hitting him at the same time. His magic had caused Malta’s death.

  Colt must have been doing his mind reading thing again because he whispered in her ear. “Rather her than you, Geli. I’d follow if I lost you.”

  That took Angelica aback. She decided she wouldn’t kill Laz today. He had warned them all that he wasn’t completely good. No necromancer could be. They all had a touch of evil in them.

  She saw Colt look over his shoulder. He stood and helped her up.

  Jericho was lying in human form, in a fetal position amongst the bones, and crying. Wracking sobs shook his naked form.

  The ghosts were still there, circling around them all, but as Angelica watched, they faded away one by one, each nodding at the group of Eternals as if thanking them. Perhaps they were finally at peace.

  Colt took his coat and walked over to cover his friend. “I’m sorry, bro. If it could have been any different…” He didn’t finish his sentence.

  Jericho got up, shrugging off the coat, and stood. He pulled his shoulders back and tears tracked through the dirt on his face. “I’ll come back to the village when I’m ready, so don’t come looking for me.”

  He changed form to his polar bear and loped out of the mine.

  “I’m sorry he had to get hurt,” Laz said. “But that’s all I’m sorry about.”

  Colt walked up to Laz and offered his hand. “Thank you, Laz. I owe you for the life of my mate.”

  Laz looked surprised, but took the offered hand and shook it. “No worries. Angelica is good people.”

  “Where is Ath?” Angelica was looking around for her friend, but she couldn’t see her.

  “I’m down here,” Athera called out and they started to look for her.

  Laz found her. “Over here.” He was standing at the edge of a pit in the floor of the mine.

  “It’s about time you found me. I thought you’d forgotten about me completely.”

  Angelica peered down into the hole. “How did you get down there?”

  “Jericho’s bear knocked me on my ass, and the floor gave way. Guess I better go on a diet.” She snorted, then laughed.

  “Let’s get you out of there,” Colt said.

  “Before you do, you need to see this.”

  “What do you want us to see, Ath?” Angelica asked. All she wanted to do was get out of this mine and go home with Colt for some of that week long enforced isolation he’d promised her.

  “It’s really cool. I can’t explain. You have to see it for yourself.”

  Athera sounded excited, so Angelica gave in.

  “Is there space?” Angelica asked. It wasn’t a very deep hole, but Athera wasn’t that tall. She couldn’t reach the lip to pull herself up.

  “Yes. There is plenty of space for us all. You guys will have to duck a bit, though. “

  Colt jumped down into the hole, followed by Laz. Then Colt helped Angelica down.”

  “This way.” Athera led them down a short passage.

  “All hell was breaking loose up there and you are playing at being Laura Croft?” Laz asked in a dry tone.

  “Stop talking and come and see.”

  The tunnel opened into a chamber. It wasn’t very big, and against the far wall was a very ornate…Angelica didn’t know what to call it. Coffin was too simple, and it didn’t look like an Egyptian sarcophagus, but it was ornate with complicated imagery carved into the sides of it. Angelica stepped closer and looked at the pictures.

  “Here.” Athera lit her hand and held it above the coffin so they could see.

  The imagery was disturbing, displaying stylized humans all dying in some form or another. Some were of people that were impaled, some of the people looked like they were dying of disease, others looked emaciated as if they had starved to death. There were even a few that looked like they were being sacrificed. One person was standing over another with a large blade. It creeped Angelica out.

  “Fuck me and call me Suzie,” Laz breathed out. “We need to get out of here now.”

  “What? Why? This is cool,” Athera said.

  “No, this is dangerous. That’s the resting place of a death deity. We are leaving now.”

  “Death deity?” She sounded puzzled.

  “Something really big and bad, Athera. Something that not just anyone can take out. We need to get the hell out of here before it wakes up and decides we’d make a tasty breakfast snack.”

  She didn’t need any more prompting. Athera led the way and Laz boosted her up out the hole. He jumped up after her and Colt helped Angelica out.

  Angelica looked back at the hole and had a bad feeling. She hoped this wasn’t going to come back and haunt them. She flinched. Bad choice of words, there.

  They all hurried out the mine. Angelica was sure that they all wanted to put it behind them.

  They made it outside, but before Angelica could follow the other two to the snowmobiles, Colt grabbed her hand and spun her into his arms.

  He wrapped himself around her and she closed her eyes in bliss.

  “Love you, Gelibean,” he whispered against her hair.

  “I love you, too,” she said with her cheek against his chest. She loved the feeling of his warm pecs under her cheek. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she squeezed him to her tightly

  “I nearly lost you in there.”

  He sounded shaken and it made her smile—he really did love her.

  “You didn’t. I’m okay, so stop worrying.”

  “I know, but I can’t help it. I’m probably going to worry about you and our children for the rest of eternity.”

  The thought made her smile again. Their children, and one was on the way already. She could almost feel sorry for Colt…almost.

  She was quiet for a moment while he held her and she looked at the snowy ground.

  “You know, when we met, you hated me, your heart frozen against me.”

  “Yeah?”

 
; “Yeah.” She let out a small sigh.

  “Well, I can promise you one thing.” He seemed to be smiling against her hair.

  “What’s that?” She was curious.

  He seemed to be in a teasing mood and she could hear the laughter in his voice when he said. “It may have been frozen, but it will never be again. You defrosted me, Gelibean. My heart is unfrozen.”

  About the Author

  Evi is a die-hard romantic who firmly believes in happy endings and loves all things paranormal. She lives in South Africa, with her (very patient) husband, two children, and too many pets.

  Table of Contents

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  About the Author