Page 58 of Slouch Witch
‘Ivy.’
I rolled my eyes. ‘Fine,’ I muttered.
‘Walk towards me,’ Winter instructed. ‘When you decide the time is right, you can shoot me with your … gun.’
I mimed placing my weapon in my pocket. ‘This is going to be a piece of cake.’ I started strolling; to add to the atmosphere, I also started humming. Nothing to see here, just a plumpish blonde out for a walk. Less than fifteen feet away, Winter pulled back his shoulders and headed in my direction. It was like the world’s worst-ever game of chicken.
Although I stayed on the balls of my feet, I forced myself to look relaxed. Even though he knew it was coming, I still wanted Winter to think I was going to wait until he passed me before I reacted.
I didn’t look directly at him but I could see him with my peripheral vision. When we were almost shoulder to shoulder, I spun to my left and started to pull out my imaginary gun. Winter also turned, checked my hand, then drew a rune. Before I could bring my hand up to chest level, I was thrown backwards by an immense force. I landed on my back, winded and in considerable pain.
‘Shit!’ Winter jogged over to me. ‘Are you alright?’
I lifted my head weakly. ‘It hurts,’ I admitted.
‘Where?’
I pointed to my back. ‘I’m not sure I can move.’
He bent down. ‘I’m so sorry, Ivy. I never intended to—’
I lifted up my hand again and this time managed to get my ‘shot’ off. ‘Bang.’
For a moment Winter stared at me then he growled under his breath, ‘You cheated.’
‘No, I didn’t. I took advantage of the situation.’ I grinned at him. ‘I still won.’ I stuck my hand into the air and waved it around. ‘Help me up.’
He tutted. ‘You’re incorrigible.’ He reached down, grabbing my palm with his left hand. What I hadn’t realised was that he’d pulled out a smattering of herbs from his right pocket. As he hefted me upwards, he blew them into my face.
‘What the—?’ A cloud of choking black magical smoke enveloped me. I let go of Winter’s hand and tried to waft it away. Hearing him chuckle, I spun round as if in the throes of panic. Then I launched a sharp kick, catching him on the shin.
Unable to see him, I leapt backwards, thinking I’d be out of his reach. Winter was faster than I expected, however, and he lunged towards me and barrelled me to the ground. He landed on top of me, just managing to brace himself to avoid crushing me completely. Not that I reckoned I would have minded that much. His blue eyes pierced mine and I shivered.
‘Are you cold?’
‘No.’
We stared at each other. His head dipped down further until I could feel his hot breath against my skin. ‘Ivy,’ he began, his voice strained.
‘Good afternoon! Do you need some help there?’
I turned my head to the side. It was Mrs Burridge, the woman who lived on the floor above me. ‘We’re fine,’ I called out.
Winter’s mouth twisted, then he shifted his weight, pulling himself upright.
‘Are you sure? Because I know a great spell.’
‘Don’t worry, Mrs B. It’s all good.’
She peered at us both. ‘If you’re sure.’
I coughed. ‘Yep.’
She smiled benignly and continued on her way.
‘I don’t know her,’ Winter said, no longer looking at me. ‘She’s a witch?’
I stood up and dusted myself off. ‘She thinks she is. The most magic she’s ever managed was to avoid paying the building maintenance fees for three years.’ Admittedly, I wished I’d accomplished that.
