Page 103 of The Demon's Fire
Rein nodded, turning to the other male with Tyr, a younger guy. “You can detect magic?”
A lanky, red-headed warlock stepped forward. “Yes, s-s-sir. The n-n-name’s Knox. If it’s close.”
When Rein shook his hand, though, the kid held tight despite his stammered speech and youth.
“I’m pretty g-g-good at finding spells, s-s-sir.”
“Stop with the sir shit, kid. Just another Firebrand.”
Ram spoke up. “What’s the plan, Rein?”
Brak, Tyr, Galena, Sabine, Nico, and Chay crowded together near Ram.
“Dax is dealing with the two human slaves found by one of Alarik’s healers. Since Jarek was short scouts, he’d asked for an assist. I sent the vamp. He won’t be joining us on this outing. Jezzi’s waiting at Spriggan Enclave on Darque. We’ll jump there, grab her for a ride-along, and see what the kid Knox picks up. If he doesn’t get a read on magic, we start hoofing it. The Spriggans mentioned to Jez that Kole and Chief Maxwell set out on foot. Most likely, the commander left a trail for us to follow. We need to find it. This is a real shit soup sandwich.”
Ram shifted from side to side. “We know Kole has a safe place on Darque. Secretive bastard never told anyone where it was, though.”
Rein nodded. “Tyr, you take care of Hason. The kid’s with me. Get your battle rattle on,frerons.”
Already toting a chest harness with three long-bladed stilettos, Rein strode to the weapons storage to add a short sword which he stuck into a back sheath.
Chay grabbed his self-cocking, repeating, pistol-gripchu ko nufrom a rack along with a magazine filled with a never-ending supply of bolts. It was an ylve thing to always have ammo. He finished with a war hammer tucked into his belt and a shitload of throwing stars.
Galena wielded her leaf-shaped shield and short spear, the henna battle ink already drawn on her face.
Nico patted Sabine’s elbow. “What’s with the tats on the chick?”
“On Galena? The markings tell a tale. Her breed goes into a fight with their faces painted. A strong story makes them powerful against their opponents. Hey, Amazon! What’s today’s yarn?”
“A glorious victory. My great-great grandmother fought two powerful mages. Dropped them to the dirt. Single-handed, no less.”
Sabine stuck a dagger into a sheath at her waist, a double-bladed staff across her back.
Looking star struck in the weapons storage area, Nico whistled. “Wow! I love you guys. What to pick? What to pick?” He settled on three Buck combat knives with a chest harness. Then he grabbed a fighting tomahawk which he stuck into his belt. “A Glock would be a bonus. Too bad they are verboten in your realms.”
“Not only forbidden, but Scath and Darque are spelled so they don’t work.” Sabine’s gaze crawled up the human’s body, pausing on his weapons. “You know how to use an axe, cuddles?”
“Hell, no, but it sure looks fun, sweetness.”
The nymph slapped him on the back. “Watch your ass out there.”
“I was hoping you’d watch it for me.”
Sabine snorted.
When they were all armed, Rein looked them over and dipped his chin. He would trust any of hisfreronsto have his six, just as he would have theirs. “For duty.”
Ram fisted the hilt of his Scottish dagger. “For honor.”
The Firebrands let loose a loud whoop.
“Let’s boogie. Grab my arm, kid.” Rein nodded at the young mage.
The Scath warriors and their two warlock hitchhikers burst almost simultaneously from the stronghold’s portal to the jump site near Spriggan Enclave.
Jezzi, the big cat shifter, waited for them.
“Need weapons, Jez?” asked Ram.
