Page 364 of Kingdoms of Night

“Siddhe,” I said, reaching for her hand. “Let’s leave this place.”

She saw me, but her eyes were hollow.

I was surprised. A rare chill ran up my neck. There wasn’t a spark of fear in her eyes.

I knew she had fear, but I’d only seen it directed at me.

She took my hand, and I pulled her into me.

“Oh, look at what we have here,” Blackthorn said, wiping blood from his scrapped chin.

I pushed Siddhe behind me, shielding her with my body.

His men were still knocked out, but two of the bigger ones began to rise. They drew their weapons; a sword and a club.

“You know, I am not surprised you chose this one,” Blackthorn said, pulling something from his black doublet’s inner pocket. He shrugged. “She’s pretty, I’ll give you that. But, she stinks of fish.”

I cracked a grin, and released a sinister laugh. I then took in a long whiff of the air. “No mate, I think that’s you. I’m surprised you can even tell the difference between your stench and the rubbish pile anymore.”

Blackthorn nodded. “I’m glad you still have a sense of humor. But, we aren’t mates, are we?”

I exhaled. “No, we aren’t. But, I was being kind.”

He took a step closer. I was a tall fellow, but he was nearly a foot taller, and twice the width of me. “I don’t need your kindness,” he said through grit teeth.

His lips pursed, and he glared at me.

But, my eyes went to what he’d taken from his doublet.

My eyes widened.

It was a potion.

I could smell its contents, and turned up my nose. Mermaid scales, moon elixir, wolfsbane, vervain, moss agate, crocodile teeth, obsidian…dragon’s fire.

Shite.

How did he get dragon’s fire?

Blackthorn might have found something that could be a threat. But, for any of it to be of any use, he’d have to know a particular spell.

Whatever it was, I wouldn’t give him the chance to use it. I lifted my hand, squeezed it into a fist, and watched in delight as Blackthorn’s face morphed into pain.

I twisted, using an invisible grip to press against his throat, choking him.

His men rushed toward me.

Siddhe shot out from behind me, dagger drawn.

Before I could react, she slit their throats in quick succession, and stood before me with shoulders heaving.

It all happened so quickly, that I barely blinked.

“Good girl,” I said, impressed. I knew I chose well.

She glared at me. “We still have a deal to execute. Can’t let these bastards stand in the way of that.”

I nodded. “Understood.” Then, I returned my attention to Blackthorn.

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