Page 3 of Sweetwater and the Witch

She had seen videos of dust bunnies in full attack mode, but this was the first time she had watched one prepare for battle. The little creature was sleeked out, all four eyes open. There was a saying about dust bunnies: by the time you see the teeth, it’s too late. Her new pal definitely had a lot of teeth on display.

Once again Ravenna tried to send a silent message that the time was not yet ripe to stage a desperate attempt at escape. There were too many flamers in the room. The odds were not good. A distraction was called for.

Fitch stopped a short distance away. His eyes burned with excitement as he pushed the cold waves of his talent toward her. She felt her heartrate begin to slow. A great chill settled on her, icing her blood. She glanced at the door one last time and abandoned the last vestige of hope.

“It looks I’ve been stood up,” she said to the room at large. Then she focused hard on the dust bunny.“Now.”

Somehow the creature got the message. She zipped across the floor, her six paws a blur. She was heading straight for the Acolyte, who was looking the other way and did not see her coming.

Ravenna rezzed her talent to the max. A wall of paranormal flames roared to life and enveloped Fitch. She saw his mouth twist and his eyes widen in mortal fear as the fire swirled around him. She was vaguely aware of screams and shrieks from the onlookers. One particularly piercing cry reverberated through the chamber.

“Get it off me,” Louise yelled. “Get it off.”

The dust bunny had found her target.

Fitch stiffened, convulsed, and dropped to the floor, unconscious. Ravenna lowered her talent. The flames vanished. The room was in chaos.

“Fire witch,” someone screamed.

“Time to go,” Ravenna called.

Louise flailed wildly and managed to dislodge the dust bunny. The creature made an adroit landing and promptly dashed across the chamber to join Ravenna.

Ravenna was already running for the door. The dust bunny caught up with her just as she raced out into the hall.

They both nearly got trampled by the phalanx of Guild men and FBPI agents heading toward the chamber. Ravenna scooped up the dust bunny before she was accidentally struck by a large boot and flattened her back to the wall to avoid the task force team.

“You’re late,” she yelled as they thundered past. “Where in hell have you guys been?”

Chapter Two

The thundering herd of agents and hunters ignored her and charged into the chamber. Ravenna heard a lot of shouted commands along the lines of“Everybody down on the floor. Hands behind your heads.”

She went to the doorway, the dust bunny tucked under one arm. Together they watched the team put the cult members in handcuffs. On the floor, Clarence Fitch stirred and opened his eyes. Max Collins, the team leader, yanked him to his feet.

“What happened to you?” Collins demanded.

“The witch burned me,” Fitch said. The words were slurred. “Tried to murder me.”

“Right,” Collins said, unimpressed. He shoved Fitch toward the nearest agent. “Cuff him.”

“He’s telling the truth,” Granger said. “I saw it with my own eyes. Flames from across the spectrum. The woman is a real witch. You gotta believe us.”

Collins shook his head. “Bunch of deluded idiots. Get ’em out of here.”

He turned and headed toward the doorway, moving with the not-so-subtle swagger of a heroic agent of law enforcement who has just completed a successful takedown and knows there will be a commendation for same in his file.

Ravenna stepped back and to one side. The dust bunny chortled. She was once again fluffed. With only her innocent blue eyes showing, she looked like a large wad of dryer lint. Ravenna waited for her to leap free and disappear as mysteriously as she had appeared. But she made no move to leave.

Collins stopped in front of Ravenna. “What’s with the dust bunny?”

“I have no idea,” Ravenna said. “She just showed up after I waskidnapped and locked in a cage.”

Collins paid no attention to her accusatory tone. “Cute little critter.”

“You should have seen her a moment ago when she was coming to my rescue—unlike, say, your FBPI team.”

Collins frowned in concern. “Are you okay? You sound a little wired.”

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