Page 25 of Kiss of Magic

Rage was building inside her, rage made worse by the fact that the mortal seemed entirely unconcerned.

“Go ahead. Do your worst.”

He took a bite from his burger and chewed, watching her with interest. She splayed the fingers of her free hand, calling on her power.

Nothing happened.

Blake raised a brow.

“Go on, then. I’m waiting.”

“I… why can’t…?” It was as if her connection had been broken. The energy was there, she could feel it swirling about her. But she couldn’t access it.

She tried a spell, something simple.

“Makshur.”The word, coupled with her magic, should have broken the chair Blake was sitting in. Nothing happened. Wildly, she looked at her hand. And for the first time, saw the bracelet on her wrist.

“No! What have you done? My magic!”

With an enraged screech she tried to pull the gold circlet off. It wouldn’t budge. Eyes flashing with fury, she jumped off the bed, pulling at the handcuff with all her might.

“Calm down, Blue. You’ll do yourself an injury.”

“I’m going to fucking kill you!” she screamed. “I’m going to break every bone in your body and melt your fucking eyeballs!”

Blake bit back a smile. They weren’t kidding about her temper. He let her exhaust herself as she alternately tried to smash the bed to pieces and screamed blue murder at him. He wasn’t worried about anyone hearing. Safe-houses like these were dotted about the world, and all were sound-proof.

Leaning back in the chair, he closed his eyes and let her tirade fade into the background. It had been a long night. He’d driven from New York and hadn’t slept in the last twelve hours.

He roused himself when she finally fell into a sullen silence.

“You all done?” he enquired politely.

She didn’t answer, just looked away, but not before he caught the glint of a tear. Unexpectedly, he felt a pang of sympathy.

She looked young, he thought. Too young to bear the burden of being a saviour. Rising to his feet, he held out a glass of water.

“You must be thirsty after all that yelling,” he said gruffly. She didn’t want to take the water. She didn’t want anything from him. But her throatwasdry. She took the glass silently and sipped from it.

“How’s the jaw?” he asked.

“Hurts.”

“I didn’t hit you hard.”

“You’re too kind.”

He ignored the sarcasm.

“We won’t be here long.”

“No. I expect you’ll be wanting to drop me off so I can be murdered and out of your hair. Why the delay?”

“I’m waiting for a call.” He pointed with his chin and she saw a crystal on the bedside table, about the size and shape of a pocket diary. “I gather that’s the Nush’aldaam version of a smart phone.”

“You have a viewing crystal?” Astonished, she looked at him. “Humans don’t have these. Where did you get it?”

“From my employer. Your boss.”

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