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

explaining Scarlet’s history to her. Giving her all the bloody details and trying to put a positive spin on the whole curse thing.
    No.
    He would rather let her live a day longer without being under the umbrella of impending death. The curse was cruel and unfair, and Gabriel wanted to protect her from her fate for as long as possible.
    They reached the tent and he snagged each of them a Kiss Cake.
    “So, Gabriel,” Heather began as he passed out the cakes. “Scarlet says you’re from New York. Which part?”
    He took a bite of his Kiss Cake and examined the blond Barbie lookalike as he swallowed his bite. “The city.”
    “What’s the city like?” Scarlet asked.
    Gabriel smiled. “It’s loud. Nonstop craziness and noise. But it’s full of opportunities and interesting people. There’s always something going on, never a dull moment.”
    Heather sighed. “That sounds heavenly.”
    Scarlet scrunched her adorable nose. “That sounds like a headache.”
    Gabriel laughed. Scarlet had never liked big cities. She’d always preferred quiet places where time moved slowly.
    Places like Avalon.
    “Yeah,” he said, smiling at Scarlet. “New York isn’t for everyone.”
    “So, why did you move here?” Heather took a bite of her cake.
    Gabriel took a moment to think. He needed a plausible excuse to be in Avalon, something to hold him over until the curse was broken and he could tell Scarlet the truth.
    “Family business.” It was a good answer. A safe answer.
    “Really? What kind of business is your family in?” Scarlet watched him over the frosting of her Kiss Cake.
    “History.” He nodded, hoping his answer was sufficient.
    “What kind of history?”
    Not sufficient enough.
    “Just, you know, general history.” He really should have thought through his back-story before coming tonight. He didn’t want to sound like an idiot.
    Heather raised her brows. “Your family is in the business of general history? Wow. That’s…vague.” She pursed her lips and looked at him sharply. “Care to elaborate?”
    Gabriel had a feeling the Barbie was going to be a problem.
    “Ignore Heather. She’s nosey.” Scarlet rolled her eyes before turning them to Gabriel. “Was it hard to leave New York?”
    “A little. I love the city and the lights and the craziness. But I was excited to move here. It’s getting better.”
    “So, you’re not gonna elaborate on the family business?” Heather narrowed her eyes. “Is it, like, import and export stuff? Are you guys drug dealers? Are you part of the mob?”
    Yep, Barbie was definitely going to be an issue.
    “Heatherrrrr.” Scarlet shot a warning look at her friend. “Rude.”
    “Uh, no,” Gabriel said. “To all of that. We don’t do anything illegal, if that’s what you’re asking.”
    At least not yet.
    Tristan was planning on murdering someone, though, so the crime-free family name would soon be tarnished.
    Stupid, evil Tristan and his “plan.”
    “Huh.” Heather stared at him, as if trying to gauge how trustworthy he was. “Well, I certainly hope not. For your sake.”
    Gabriel smiled.
    Heather was a little annoying, but he liked her.
    Her questions were obnoxious and she was probably going to make it difficult for him to get to know Scarlet, but he appreciated her skepticism.
    She was quick. And protective of Scarlet.
    Good.
    “Okay, I think we’re done interrogating the new guy,” Scarlet said, tossing a dirty look at Heather and an apologetic smile at Gabriel.
    Heather smiled. “Right. Totally. Sorry about that.” She laughed lightly. “One last question, though….” Her smiled deepened. “Do you have any brothers?”
    “Why?” Immediately, Gabriel regretted responding so fast.
    He should have waited a beat.
    He should have just said no.
    Scarlet’s eyes widened as she kicked Heather’s shoe. “Seriously?”
    Heather ignored Scarlet and answered Gabriel. “Uh…because I’m in the market for a gorgeous boy to be my cereal toy. So...do