Page 36 of Kiss of Magic

The warlock stared at them manically. His pupils were split into two – double slits that seemed to change position constantly. He looked like a psychotic nightmare. Blakewondered how he could see anything. The mage addressed Dani directly.

“If you come with us, we will protect you from your coven. You will be safeguarded from all threats by the full force of dark magic.”

Dani blinked.

“Huh?”

“You are the key. You are the means by which we will control the demons. You will be our insurance, our guarantee that they will do our bidding. And with them as our army, we will rule Nush’aldaam. Is that not a better deal than the one being offered to you by your coven?”

There was a moment’s silence. Dani was poleaxed by the unexpected offer. Not to die? Not to be sacrificed? Blake turned to look at her.

“Please tell me you’re not falling for this crap?”

“Hang on, just let me think…”

“Blue, it’s bullshit.”

“But it makes sense. If the demons know they could be locked away again at any moment, then surely they’ll obey whoever has the key?”

“Give me a break. Look at these guys. Do they seem like they have your best interests at heart?”

“At least they’re not actively trying to kill me.”

“I’ve had enough of this baloney.”

Blake drew both Glocks and shot at the warlocks. The bullets didn’t go anywhere near them. He should have known. Of course they’d be shielded, just like he was.

He stopped firing when the bullets started ricocheting in all directions. Somewhere behind him came the sound of sobbing. There are still people in here, he reminded himself. He held up the guns in a gesture of conciliation.

“Look, let these families go and we’ll negotiate.”

“I think you’re right, hunter. Let us release these people from their terror.”

Psycho-Eyes raised his hands. Behind him, Blake heard shrieks and wails. He turned to see what was happening.

Every person in the restaurant, with the exception of him and Dani, was being lifted into the air. There were more than a dozen of them, a mix of parents, kids, and the elderly. They stared at each other in frantic consternation.

Then the warlock closed his fists. And with the suddenness of a whiplash, everyone folded double. Backwards.

“No!” Dani cried.

The sound of fifteen spines snapping simultaneously was one Blake would never forget as long as he lived. He swallowed down a wave of nausea. The grotesque image of people hanging in mid-air with the backs of their heads resting on their calves was seared into his eyeballs.

He turned away, unable to look anymore. It was unnaturally quiet. The warlock brought down his hands and the bodies thumped to the floor.

“You didn’t have to do that,” Blake said hoarsely. “You could have let them go.”

“On the contrary, hunter. It was a demonstration of our power.” The warlock looked over at Dani who hadn’t moved a muscle. “Proof that we are strong enough to protect you from your coven, if you come with us.”

Dani shifted her gaze to Blake and he saw she was pale. A thin sheen of sweat glimmered on her upper lip. She looked shaken to her core.

“Release me from the dampener,” she said softly. “I’ll handle them.”

He wanted to believe her. A powerful witch at his side was exactly what he needed right now. But he couldn’t take the chance.

“Sorry, Blue. No can do.”

He saw curious faces pressed against the windows on the other side of the street and tensed. Even in this neighbourhood, breaking glass and gunshots caused consternation. The last thing he needed was someone to call the police. He didn’t want any more innocent people to get hurt by these fuckers. He just hoped to god the barrier spells protecting the warlocks worked the same way as his.

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