Page 28 of Of Flame and Fate

And so is Misha who stands directly beside him.

Ire claims Misha’s stance like armor. It’s so severe, even his most trusted vampires are afraid to draw near. His long blond mane is pulled back in a silver clip. It’s his “battle hair”. He’s ready to destroy anyone who threatens his master.

Celia has often questioned Misha on whether the loyalty he demonstrates to Uri is extended back to him. Misha has never responded either way, not because he doesn’t know, but because I think he does.

“If Misha is ever going to take Uri out, this is his moment,” I murmur, knowing Gemini can hear me.

Misha’s head swivels in my direction, his narrowing eyes alerting me that he heard me loud and clear. Damn these vamps and their super senses. “I’m only saying what everyone else is thinking,” I reply in that same hushed tone.

“He won’t. Not now,” Gemini responds, well aware Misha can hear him and not giving a rat’s ass. “He’ll wait for the right time.”

My comment annoyed Misha, but all Gemini’s words do is trigger that wicked smile Misha is known for. I’m not sure why Misha smiles then. It could be good. It could be sucky. Either way I’m not returning it. I may be his merc for hire. That doesn’t mean I’ll jump aboard the Misha death train should it decide to run off the tracks.

Destiny who has been unnervingly quiet, and a little too smiley, adjusts her cowboy hat just right. The whacky feathers poised on top release a snowfall of black, white, and hot pink plumage. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” she asks.

I don’t have to guess she’s looking at Genevieve, the head witch. When I first met Genevieve, I mistook her for a vamp because she’s seriously that good looking. Her long dark hair is gathered in a bun that’s supposed to look like she pulled it up in a haste, yet somehow adds another air of elegance to her already spellbinding appearance.

The loose strands that escape Genevieve’s bejeweled hair pin fall along her sapphire eyes and porcelain skin, skimming her cheeks as she treats Uri’s wounds.

“Oh, but you’re pretty, too,” Destiny adds, giving me a playful nudge. “A real looker.”

“Ah, thanks, there, Des. You . . .” I give her the onceover, trying to think of something nice to say. “You have a nice smile.”

“Super thanks.” She cups her hand, pretending to whisper. “But betcha it’s not as nice as Genevieve’s.”

I’m sure nothing is, given her awe.

Genevieve scrutinizes Uri’s face, her yellow amulet streaming rays of bright sunlight as she fills Uri’s wounds with what resembles spackle. She mumbles a chant, her lips soft as she moves them, but her magic forceful, driving the curse that struck him out of his system.

As her light withdraws so does his trembling. All at once he slumps forward, his boyfriends barely catching him in time.

Misha doesn’t move, keeping his arms crossed and watching Uri closely as Genevieve withdraws.

I straighten. “Is now the right time?” I whisper to Gemini, noting that in spite of his stance, Misha is geared to attack.

Gemini doesn’t respond with words. He clasps my elbow and Emme’s leading us away.

I don’t think I manage to fully shift my weight when the first of several vampires attack. Misha snatches two up by the throat, his movements too quick to register.

With a simple squeeze, and a hiss that chills me down to my soul, he caves their larynxes inward. Ash drifts out in a haze, coating the air with murder just as something flies over my head.

Like a bowling ball being thrown against granite, a head strikes the opposite wall, cracking the skull and caving it inward.

Emme rams into me as she leaps away from a decapitated torso, flipping like a fish out of water toward us.

“What was that?” I say, watching the torso flop past us.

“A torso,” my beloved replies.

I let out what I hope is an easy breath. It’s not. Seriously, what the hell?

“I mean what happened?” I ask instead.

The torso explodes in a billow of ash. “Misha willed his leeches to die,” Gemini explains.

Emme and I exchange glances. “He can do that?” I ask.

“Being their master and given his power, yes,” he says, his dark expression split between disappointment and relief.

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