Page 12 of Kiss of Magic

“You got taken out by agirl? Were you having an off-day?”

“Laugh it up, Blondie. I was taken by surprise. You know I don’t really believe in all that magic crap.”

“Well, you’d better believe in it now. She took you down with a couple of syllables. And since you very kindly told her how you found her in the first place, she won’t be making that mistake again.” Tala sighed. “Damn it to the seven hells. I thought we had her.”

“We’re not the only ones after her. Any clue who sent the fairy boys?”

Tala shrugged.

“Anyone who dabbles with dark magic. There’s a lot of them here on earth.”

Blake glanced at her sharply.

“Here? Why?”

“Dark magic is banned in Nush’aldaam. It’s what drew the demonicus spirits in the first place.”

“Figures. There’s always some evil bastard messing things up for the rest of us.”

“There won’t be anything left if the demons get out.” Tala’s face sobered. “It’s getting bad. The seal holding them captive is beginning to break apart. There’s a tag-team of witches chanting protection spells day and night, twenty-four seven. They’ve been at it for more than a week now, gods know how long they can last. We have to find Dani. She’s the answer.”

“What is her role, exactly?”

“You don’t need to know.”

“Don’t give me that crap. I’m hunting her, I have a right to know.”

“You wouldn’t understand. It’s witch stuff.”

Blake narrowed his eyes.

“You’re the second person who’s said that to me. And I’m sick of being mistaken for an imbecile. Just spit it out. What’s going to happen to her?”

“Why do you care?” Tala countered. “You’re a mercenary. She’s a contract. That’s all that matters.”

Blake was silent for a moment. Tala was right. It wasn’t his problem what happened to the girl after he’d brought her in. And yet he couldn’t stop himself from asking.

“She told me if I handed her over to her coven, it would mean a death sentence. Is she right?”

“I don’t know.”

“But did you…”

“I said I don’t know!”

And Blake understood. Tala didn’t know, because she didn’twantto know. But she suspected. It was suddenly clear to him why Tala wasn’t participating in this hunt.

Maybe shewastrying to get up the duff. Maybe her vampire husbandhadsworn her off the chase. But Tala had kept away willingly because she’d thought it would end in a young woman’s death.

“What if I don’t want to be an executioner, Blondie?”

Tala met his gaze. Her blue eyes changed to silver, a sure sign of her emotions.

“Then you’re condemning my people. Millions of souls, on your conscience. That’s the deal. That’s the pay-off. One life to save a whole world. I know it sucks, but there’s no choice. I’m sorry.”

Blake rubbed his face tiredly. Fuck, he hated his job sometimes.

“Quit worrying. I’ll bring her in.”

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