Page 43 of Defying the Relic Hunter

I quickly switched to the dancing pink elephant.

The kid behind the counter was bug-eyed.

“Enough of the entertainment, let’s eat,” Ethan said, placing the tray with our food on the table.

The butterflies and pink elephant vanished.

I took a big bite. The chorizo was seasoned perfectly.

“This is really good,” Xenia groaned.

I nodded in agreement. “The best Mexican food in the state.”

“Not bad,” Quinn said.

Silence reigned as we chowed down.

A black tank with orange flames painted on the side rumbled to a stop out front and ten heavily armed soldiers bailed out.

I hooted. “Oh lookie, it’s Ivan and his stealth tank.” I threw up anothing hereillusion.

A wolfish smile formed on Ethan’s mouth. “I don’t have to hunt the ass down.”

Xenia studied them. “What do they want?”

“Me, dead,” I answered.

Quinn frowned. “Why?”

“My cousin Giuseppe was stupid enough to attack Zarek. Luigi, his father, blames my uncle and me for his capture,” I answered.

Xenia laughed. “I saw the vid. You weren’t even there.”

“I know that, and you know that, but daddy dearest doesn’t care. Giuseppe’s the perfect son, who can do no wrong.”

Ethan snorted. “He’s a fool and a piss poor thief.”

“I say we kill them all,” Quinn said.

I held up a hand. “Why don’t we hold off on that. For the next ten minutes all they’ll see is an empty restaurant. I’m hoping they’ll leave without a bunch of bloodshed.

“Where’s the fun in that?” Ethan’s disbelieving gaze roved over Ivan. “Is that his battle armor?”

As usual Ivan was wearing his white armor with gold inlaid. A long black plume sprouted from his helmet. He looked like he was attending a masquerade ball as Prince Charming instead of going into battle. “Yep.”

Ivan opened the door and looked around. “I thought you said the bitch was here?”

“She was. Maybe they ducked out the back. You know Coletti warriors are a bunch of fucking pussies,” a tall, reed thin man replied.

Ethan growled in my head.“Stay put.”Poof! He vanished.

Quinn teleported a second later.

Ethan and Quinn appeared on the sidewalk and pulled their swords.

Ivan took a startled jump backwards, slammed into the man behind him who crashed into the guys behind him, knocking them on their asses.

I snickered.

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