Magic Burns

Page 30

 

 

 

clutched in my right hand.

 

“You cheated!” Julie’s outraged voice rang from above. “Leave her alone!”

 

His nose no longer looked broken. No blood, either. Wonderful. Not only could he teleport, but he also regenerated while he did it. If he started spitting fire, we’d be all set.

 

Keeping his crossbow leveled, he reached down to his thigh and pulled my needle out with a wince.

 

“That hurt.”

 

“Serves you right,” Julie yelled.

 

“I suppose you’re rooting for her?”

 

Julie’s eyebrows rose in trademark adolescent scorn. “Duuuuuuuh.”

 

“Don’t make me come up there.” Steel vibrated in his voice and Julie ducked behind the crates.

 

“Leave the kid alone,” I told him.

 

“Jealous? Want me all to yourself?” He jerked the crossbow right a little. “Turn around.”

 

I turned my back to him, expecting the bite of a steel bolt head between my shoulder blades any moment. “Very nice,” he said. “Turn around again.”

 

I turned around to see him frowning. “I can’t decide if I like the back view or the front one best.”

 

“How about a view of my sword up very close?”

 

“That’s my line, dove.”

 

His leer left no doubt as to the meaning of his “line.”

 

“Turn around again. That’s a good girl.”

 

I heard him walk toward me.That’s right, come closer. I’m very helpless. With my hands held up and everything.

 

“Nothing funny,” his voice warned in my ear. “Or next time I pop in, I’ll pin your lass to those crates.”

 

I clenched my teeth and stood still.

 

“You broke my ward. I’m put out—those bitches are hard to pin down and now I’ll have to do it again.

 

I should put a bolt through your neck.” His fingers brushed the back of my neck, sending shivers down my spine. “But I’m a nice guy. I’ll give you a piece of advice instead: gather your kid and go home. I’ll even let you take the maps back to the furries, since you fought so hard for them. Stay out of my way from now on. This isn’t your fight and you’re in over your head.”

 

“What fight? With whom? Who are you?”

 

“I’m Bran. The hero.”