Magic Burns

Page 62

 

 

 

The gaping pit that was the reeve’s mind opened before me. I took it into my fist and squeezed. The hair noose loosened. The hair still held me, but the crushing pressure had vanished.

 

I looked through the reeve’s eyes and through my own. Through this strange double vision, I saw Julie curled on the floor in a tiny fetal ball. Hood stared at me. I sensed him waiting in the deep recesses of the reeve’s mind. He brimmed with hate, not just for who I was but for what I was. He seethed, his rage barely contained, a malignant terrible creature who wished the end of humankind. Disgust swelled in me, an instinctual xenophobic response, so strong, it threatened to overwhelm all reason.

 

I forced the hair to unwind. It let me go slowly, hesitantly. Even with a power word, I wouldn’t be able to hold the reeve for long. The moment I fumbled, Hood would seize control.

 

I stepped aside and pulled the reeve through the bars, through the window, into the kitchen.

 

Watch this, you sonovabitch.

 

Obeying my unspoken command, the reeve rammed the wall head-on.

 

Hit.The drywall crumbled, exposing the hard brick.

 

Hit.A red stain spread.

 

Hit.Her skull cracked like a dropped egg.

 

You won’t get my kid, you hear me?

 

The reeve drew back for a final blow, red and gray slime spilling from her head. Hood’s presence fled.

 

A second later I sent her into motion and bailed too, before the dying mind could drag me under.

 

Hit.

 

A flood of filthy liquid washed the wall.

 

My back burned as though molten glass was poured into the wound. The room wavered slightly. I clenched my teeth and raised my sword.

 

Hood waited in the doorway. The way was clear. No magic walls separated us.

 

I smiled slowly, showing him my teeth. “Three down. One to go. Come.”

 

The tentacles contracted, drawing the net tighter. I leaned forward a little, light on my toes, ready to charge.

 

The tentacles detached, rolled into the sleeves and under the hem of the robe, and Hood fled, as if swept from the doorway by a gust of wind.

 

I looked down in time to see Julie’s legs disappear under the table.

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 10

 

 

I DUCKED UNDER THE TABLE AND ALMOST TOOK Adive. My head swam. Purple circles