Page 71 of Song of the Shadow Prince
“Why did you follow me there in the first place, Mirabel?” I interrupted.
“Because I want the paintings you owe me!” she demanded, fisting her hands by her sides. “You’re not the only one in hot water. The vampires are also afterme. If I don’t produce those paintings soon, I’ll—”
I raised my hand to stop her tirade. “Let me guess… you’ll have to pay with your body?”
She gulped and her icy demeanor faltered. “Y-Yes.”
“Why the hell do they make these types of deals?” I muttered to myself and ran a hand through my hair in frustration. “Look – I’ll get the painting I owe to you tomorrow, and the one for this month on the assigned Sunday and not a day sooner. But what you’renotgoing to do is try to rob me.” I fixed the witch with a glare and pulled all the bravado I could muster. “I might be human, but I’m not stupid, Mirabel. You thought you could get the paintings and the money, too. Not cool.” I waggled mypointer finger at her. “If you try to steal from me again, you’ll regret it.”
She scoffed and rolled her eyes. “You believe that with Garrick’s backing you’re stronger than I am now? I have the whole Dacre Coven to support me, little girl! I wouldn’t toss idle threats simply because you’re a high lady and your father has money, if I were you.”
I chuckled and covered my mouth coquettishly. “Goodness, you thinkthat’swhy? No, dear, I’m not threatening you because of Garrick and my family’s money. Obviously I have my own money. I don’t need my father’s.” I stepped closer until the witch and I were no more than a few inches apart. “I’m threatening you because I can kick your ass, you dumb bitch.”
I grabbed her throat lightning fast and lifted her off the ground an inch or two before slamming her down on her back and pinning her to the ground. Her head bounced on the cobblestone like a basketball and the witch gasped as the air was knocked out of her. I hovered over her face with a smirk and squeezed her throat tighter.
“Do I make myself clear?” I whispered. “I don’t need Garrick to handle you because I can handle you myself. And if you want to get your coven involved, go ahead. I’m sure they’ll befascinatedto hear about the dodgy shit you’re involved in with the vampires. So what’ll it be, Mirabel?”
She scrabbled at my wrists and tried to suck in air with wide eyes filled with fear. “You’re…” she gasped, “you’re… not… Arya!”
I laughed and shrugged one shoulder. “Maybe I am, maybe I’m not. You’ll never know.” I leaned down. “But do as I say and we’ll get along just fine. Capeesh?”
She nodded with as much force as she could with my hand wrapped around her throat and I released her, then stood and took a couple steps back to give her room to move.
She sucked in a lungful of air and clutched her throat before scrambling to her feet. “Youwench!” She flung out her hand and lobbed a ball of magic at me.
I cowered and raised my arms, prepared to be turned into a toad or something, but the magic bounced off Garrick’s protective cloak with a fizzle. I peeked through my fingertips to see the cloak disappear, leaving me vulnerable once again.Shit.
“Nice try,” Mirabel growled. A wicked sneer slid over her face as another magic ball formed in her palms. She reared back and wound up her arm like she was pitching in the big leagues.
I winced, closed my eyes, and braced for the oncoming pain when a brush of hair whispered across my face with a hint of lavender. I wrinkled my nose and sneezed.
“The fuck?” I cracked one eye open and saw a man with long, silky white hair standing in front of me. Half of the glossy strands were pulled up in a swirl of a bun while the rest fell below his bottom in a satin curtain. Klaus, clad in silk white robes, formed a protective barrier between me and the witch. I nearly collapsed in relief. “Oh, thank God,” I murmured.
“Who in the name of the immortals are you?!” Mirabel shouted.
Klaus chuckled. “I’m your worst nightmare,” he casually responded. “If you insist on hurting my little human, I’ll have to insist on killing you. And honestly, it’s a lovely night. I wouldhateto paint the streets crimson with your blood.”
I peered over his shoulder to see that Mirabel’s magic ball had frozen mid-way toward us. Her hand was still in the air, pushing it toward us, but Klaus stopped it with his own blend of fae powers.
Wow. That was dope as fuck.
I started to clap and patted his shoulder. “Very cool, man. Very cool.”
“How are you doing this?” Mirabel gritted between her teeth, struggling to stay upright as she vainly pushed her magic forward. “No one is stronger than a witch except for…” Her eyes slowly widened as she realized who – or what – was standing in front of her. She retracted her magic and stumbled back. “By the immortals, Arya. What have youdone?” she whispered in horror.
I held up my hands. “I didn’t do a thing.”
Mirabel narrowed her hate-filled glare at me. “This isnotover!” Without looking back, she turned and ran away, quickly hidden by the shadows.
When she was gone, Klaus turned to me. Once again, I was blinded by his beauty. It really should be a crime to be that pretty. “Wow, this deal is solid,” I offered lamely. “Thanks for the assist.”
Amusement glinted in his mesmerizing eyes. “Not a problem, little human. I knew you’d eventually land yourself in trouble. I just didn’t think it’d be this soon,” he accused.
I held up a hand. “Hey, don’t judge. It’s not my fault the girl’s life I took over was involved in some crazy shit.”
He raised a brow. “So you’ve found your doppelgänger?”
My eyes widened. “That’swhat it’s called?” I shook my head. “Yeah, that bitch was the one who pulled me into the portal here. If it wasn’t for her, I’d be at home right now dealing with my cheating boyfriend. Don’t know which scenario is better, but at least at home I had plumbing and not a damn chamber pot,” I groused.
