Page 26 of Capricorn Blessed

I gasp, hearing them talk about the castle. I’m no expert on French monarchies, but I don’t think castles are built close together. They must be talking about the Clement Castle where we found Beorn.

Their conversation stops, and all six men turn to look toward our table. I lower my face further and try not to look like I am listening in. Kenric kicks me under the table. I grimace.

“Are you okay, Miss?” the one who sounds like he’s in charge asks. “Are these men here bothering you? We could handle it for you if you need.”

“I’m fine,” I say to my lap. “But thanks for checking.”

“You aren’t from around here,” another man at the table answers. His brown hair is long enough to fall over one eye. “You sound… American. What brought you this far from any of the cities?”

I shrug. “We just wanted to explore while here for a holiday. We heard there was an old house out this way that you can tour.” I shrug. “Do you know anything else we can do this way?”

One of the other henchmen laughs. “That house was shut down about two years ago. It wasn’t structurally safe for people to be inside.”

“Oh, no!” I whine. “I hope we didn’t come all this way for nothing! Are there any good vineyards out here?”

Dennis chokes on a laugh, reaching out to squeeze my thigh.

“Sorry, love. You better head back the way you came. There’s nothing out this way but old houses and small towns.”

I give a small pout but nod. “Okay, thanks for saving us some time.”

The man nods and focuses back on his group as their food arrives.

Noticing that everyone has stopped eating, I whisper, “Should we get going?”

Dennis and Kenric nod. Izzy slides out of the booth, turning slightly to look at the men who I’m sure are bad news and probably work for the Council of Supernaturals. Kenric and Dennis follow, but I’m still stuck with Beorn sitting on the edge of our seat.

“Beorn,” I ask quietly. “Are you ready to go? We could ask for a box if you want to take the extra food with you.”

The table across from us goes quiet, and all the men sit up straight.

“Beorn,” the largest man says. “Isn’t that the name of the operative we were sent to check on?”

The scrawny man nods. The others following suit. The large man turns in the booth. His eyes are so dark they appear black.

“I’m not buying your poor helpless tourist act. What were you really doing out here?”

“Oh shit,” murmurs Izzy. “I think we should run!”

I push on Beorn’s side, trying to get him out of the booth. If we can get to the car, we have a chance of losing them. He doesn’t flinch, seeming to not notice me shoving against him.

The six men pile out of their booth, cracking their necks and stretching out their arms like they are expecting a fight. I hear the bell jingle above the door as the rest of the customers who were left and all the staff decide to leave.

“By order of the Council of Supernaturals, you are going to need to come with us,” the large man says. “If you resist, we will use physical force to ensure compliance.”

Kenric finally takes pity on me, grabbing Beorn’s shoulder and pulling him out of the booth, dropping him on the floor.

“Like hell we’re going with you!” Izzy yells turning and running for the door. She reaches back, grabbing Dennis’s hand and pulling him with her.

I scramble from the booth as three of the men take off after them. The remaining three spread out, facing Kenric, Beorn, and me.

The bell above the door jingles as I raise my arms, reaching to the well of power inside me. I picture the warmth of my fire pulling it. I don’t know what type of magic they have, but if I can burn them, we can end this fight quickly.

Focusing on the leader, I push the power through my hands. A stream of water shoots out, dousing the man in front of me.

“What the fuck?” he yells, raising his hand and throwing a ball of power back my way.

I throw myself to the side, landing in an empty booth.

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