Page 69 of Kiss of Magic

The seal was gone.

Thirty One

Washington D.C.

“These have got to be the best pancakes I’ve ever eaten. Pass the syrup.”

Blake pushed over the amber bottle.

“Where the fuck are you putting it all? You’ve eaten a dozen of those things.”

“Witch metabolism. Magic uses a lot of energy.” She flashed him a grin and he thought again how young she looked. He had to keep reminding himself she was decades older than him.

Dawn was breaking when they’d walked out of the cell. They’d discovered they were in a deserted warehouse on the outskirts of town. The other trolls who’d help kidnap them had been guarding the main exit.

They’d taken exception to Blake and Dani sauntering up the stairs as if they owned the place but were no match for powerful witch magic. Their dust was currently decorating the warehouse floor.

In a stroke of luck, Blake had found his phone and weapons stashed in the front office. He’d even found his coat – Dani had watched in amusement as he pulled on the battered leather with a sigh of relief.

“I swear you’re in love with that coat,” she’d teased.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he’d glowered. But he wiped away a scuff when he thought she wasn’t looking.

The van they’d been abducted in was conveniently parked outside. They’d driven back into town, stopping off at a discount store to buy jeans and a top for Dani, and a new shirt for Blake.One that wasn’t covered in blood and troll dust. Now they were in a diner where Dani was apparently trying to beat the world pancake-guzzling record.

He flexed his forearm as she ate. It was a little sore and he wouldn’t want to get into another fist fight anytime soon. But he could hold a gun and that was good enough.

Dani finally put her fork down with a contented sigh and he leaned forward, his face serious.

“We need to talk, Blue. My contract still stands. I have to take you to England.”

“Yeah, good luck with that. The dampener’s off, remember? So’s the binding spell.”

“But I’m still immune to your magic. You know that. You’re powerless against me.”

She tilted her head to one side as she considered him.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Shoot.”

“What’s your name? Your first name, I mean?”

He frowned, caught by surprise.

“It’s private. Only my mother calls me by it.”

“We’ve been through hell and high water hunter, and you’re trying to drag me someplace Idefinitelydon’t want to go, so I don’t think it’s too much to ask. What’s your name?”

He hesitated. But she was right. She deserved that, at the very least.

“Ethan. My name is Ethan.”

“Well then, Ethan. Let me spell it out for you, pardon the pun. I’m not powerless. Yes, you’re immune to magic but I don’t need to use it onyouto get out of here.” She gestured around the diner. “I could make every person in this place think you’re a movie star and they’ll mob you. Or I could make them think you’re a paedophile and they’ll try to lynch you. Either way, Idon’t think you’re prepared to hurt innocent people. So while you’re dealing with that, I’ll be on my way.”

She got up and tossed a dirty napkin onto the table. With a wave of her hand she turned it into a fifty.

“Breakfast is on me. Goodbye, Ethan.”

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