Page 9 of Kiss of Magic

Blake fired. Once, twice. Double-tap straight to the heart. The fae fell without a sound. Blake grinned.

“Silver bullets. I came prepared.”

Dani’s blood ran cold. This man… thishuman… knew about fae. Knew how to kill them. She scrambled backwards, putting distance between them.

“Who are you?” she hissed.

“Right now, your bodyguard.” He kept a watchful eye on the door. “Come with me if you want to live.”

“Could you sound any cornier?”

“Just telling it like it is, Blue. Now let’s get a wiggle on. Two more of those girly-looking bastards have walked in and this time they have guns.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“You’d rather stay here and take your chances with the Blond Assassins?”

“You lied to me! You knew who I was all along.”

“I was sent to find you and bring you in safely. Looks like someone has other ideas.”

“Fuck you. I can take care of myself.”

She turned to scurry off on all fours and he grabbed at her ankle, holding her in place. A second later gunfire strafed the bar. Dani flattened herself to the floor once more and crossed her arms over her head as glass and liquor rained down on her. Then Blake was shielding her again, the weight of his body pressing her down.

“Get off me, you bastard,” she snarled.

“Don’t get excited princess. Just doing my job.”

“I don’t need your help.”

She tried to wriggle out under him.

“Hey, watch the leather, sweetheart. They don’t make coats like this anymore.”

“Get the hell away from me!”

“Quit squirming. It’s distracting. Not that I’m not enjoying it but…”

“In your dreams, you great baboon.”

They both ducked as another volley of gunshots slammed into the bar. Blake swore as he realised the bullets were coming from two different directions. The fairy dudes had them pinned.

He rose to a crouch, trying to avoid the shattered glass strewn across the floor. He didn’t dare raise his head above the bar. Instead he lifted the muzzle of his Glock and shot randomly, hoping it would force them to keep their distance at least.

“We need an exit,” he shouted above the din. “Where’s the cellar entrance?”

Dani pointed. Blake saw the outline of a trapdoor at the far end of the bar, presumably leading down to a lower level where the spirits and beer were stored. Without preamble he grabbed the witch’s arm and dragged her towards it.

The relentless gunfire made the air thick with debris. Bits of wood and flying glass stabbed at his face and hands. He tasted blood on his lips.

Dani fared worse – her tiny uniform offered no protection from the shrapnel. She had a deep gash on one arm, another on her thigh, and specks of glass glistened in her cobalt hair.

When they reached the trapdoor, Blake hefted it open and pushed her down it. He followed, slamming it shut behind them. The noise of the gunfire was suddenly muted.

Dani turned on Blake angrily.

“Who sent you? Was it the coven? Was it Lenore?”

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