Page 57 of The Demon's Fire
“You can skip it.”
She stifled another yawn. “I think you’re right.”
Kole tapped his D-chip as Skyler punched her synced handheld jumper. When nothing happened, the muscles in Kole’s jaw tightened. “What the fuck? Try again.”
Nothing.
“Here. Let me look at your jumper.”
She passed it to Kole. He turned it over in his hands. It looked all right. No exterior damage. No moisture. He crammed it into his pocket. “Hold on to me.” When she slipped her fingers through the crook of his elbow, he pressed his chip again. Still nothing. He tried several more times, convinced it would work.
“What’s wrong?”
“We’re fucking stuck. How’s that for shit happens?”
****
Chayshifted his body on the sofa. “Stop with the rub-a-dub-dub, Red. I’m hard as a rock.”
Margo’s feet wiggled in his lap. She swiped a hand across her freckled face. Her lids slid up. Down. Sluggish-like. When they opened again, she eyed him. “You’re still here.” She was groggy, licking her dry, puffy lips. “Boy, am I thirsty.”
Chay’s gaze followed her tongue. He lifted her legs to adjust his pants.
Margo raised onto her elbows. With her spine arched, her breasts strained against her shirt.
While Chay’s eyes popped each button, he envisioned his hands sliding across her creamy exposed skin.
“What? You’re staring.”
The healer must have cast one helluva spell. You wouldn’t think such a little human would need such a big dose of knock-out.
She’s awake now. I should boogie, but I don’t want to go.
Margo shifted to an upright position. “Say. I told you guys to leave.” She flung herself against the pillows. “Ooh. My head didn’t appreciate the sudden motion. What did you do to me?”
“We sedated you so we could take your blood. Just wait. You’ll be fine in a few minutes.”
“Where are the two women?”
“They left.”
“What are you going to do? Rape me?”
“What? Hell no!” He stroked Margo’s legs beneath her full skirt.
“Kill me?”
“Fuck no. Not that either. I parked my ass here to make sure you were okay.”
“Let’s be straight.” Margo slid her feet off Chay’s lap, setting them on the floor. She straightened more slowly this time, pressing her hands to her temples. “Who are you guys? You’re no lab techs. Don’t bullshit a bullshitter. I heard you talk about spells, witches, and Amazons. What kind of crazy shit are you into? And you’re sporting a bird tattoo. So was the tall, leggy black-haired woman. What gives?”
“You nailed it, Red. Galena and I are not lab techs. The healer could count as one.”
“Healer? What the hell is a healer? A doctor? A nurse? Who are you?”
He settled into the couch, getting comfortable, stretching his long legs out straight. “Chay. Remember? My un-friends call me Chayton.”
“Strange name.” Margo eyed the tat sticking below his shirt sleeve.
