Page 33 of Starfall

Emery was softly growling as they approached.

Rowen eased to the side and put himself in front of her. “What do you three think you are doing?”

Penrose said, “Do you know what the bounty is on her teeth alone?”

Oh, shit. They want me for parts.

Hunter sauntered up, and Orla stood next to Emery and took her hand. “Gentlemen, what the hell do you think you are doing at this party?”

Penrose glanced at him with nervous energy radiating from him. “We have found an ogre. We are claiming the bounty on her.”

Hunter nodded. “I see. Hold on while I make a call.”

A shimmering disc appeared in the air, and Kelnen was getting into formalwear in front of the mirror. “Hunter, what do you need?”

“Three would-be ogre hunters have arrived and are laying claim to Emery. Would you be willing to mediate before you continue to the city party?”

“I will certainly mediate, but I was coming to your party. Krys looks forward to being out in some fresh air. Maven and her lot are coming as well. Expect us within twenty minutes. Krys has to help me with this damned tie.”

“Thank you.” Hunter inclined his head. “We will guard her until your arrival.”

Emery muttered, “I don’t need to be guarded; I just need a challenge space. They can even use projections so no blood is spilled.”

Hunter nodded. “I will take that under advisement. I will create an arena because we aren’t getting out of this without a fight.”

Fifty metres away, snow began to roil and expand in a wide column of wind.

Ty and Robert wandered over and asked, “What’s going on?”

Emery stated calmly, “They want to chop me up for parts.”

Penrose spluttered. “We just want to extract her fangs and claws and maybe some hair. She’s worth a fortune.”

Emery looked at him and knew there was hate in her eyes.

Rowen said softly, “You don’t want to go down this road, Penrose.”

Penrose’s white gaze was locked with hers. He took a step back. “Look at that. She’s a monster.”

Rowen glanced at her and smiled. “She’s beautiful.”

A distance away, two portals appeared, and Kelnen and Krys emerged from one and Mavin, Olmin, and Argo were with her. Kelnen frowned and stepped forward. “Pardon our speed, but we all agreed this was time-sensitive. Hunter, thank you for hosting us.”

Hunter nodded. “So, how do we settle this?”

Kelnen shrugged. “It has to be trial by combat.”

Emery smiled. “Good, but can they use projections or simulacrums? I don’t want to start the year with a death on my hands. One was enough.”

Hunter looked to where the arena was forming. “It will be ready in a few minutes.”

One of Penrose’s companions said, “We can do live attacks. I am confident that we can take her.”

Kelnen lifted his brows. “You think you will all be allowed to attack her at once? Really? That isn’t happening.”

Olmin shook his head. “Challenges are one-on-one only.”

The three warlocks paused. Penrose asked, “What?”

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