Page 97 of The Demon's Fire
Tyr was a lean warlock, not much over six foot. He loved shiny jewelry—a dangling key and hoop from one ear, three hoops in the other, a silver collar at his throat, and a gruntload of metal on his wrist. Brak, a carnal demon, was big muscle, lots of height, tight leather pants, and sapphire eyes.
Short on introductions or small talk, Rein got to the point. “Margo, demo your gift. We keep getting communication dead zones in the stronghold. While not a good thing, it did give me an idea.”
With his clothes in better order and his mind on straight, Chay said, “She makes electronic things go wonky. TV’s, radios, cell phones, shit that uses radio waves. A reason we chose a suite in the far corner.”
“I want a show-me.” Rein rested a hand on his boot.
Chay brushed a strand of curly red hair off Margo’s cheek. “Start with cellphones. Do your thing.”
“Should I visualize?”
“Let me trigger a faster response.” Chay grabbed her around the waist, pulling her in tight, and pressing his mouth to hers. He released her when all but Rein whooped and hollered.
Margo faced them with her arms akimbo, her lips squeezed into a frown. Brak, who leaned against the wall, stared sheepishly at his feet.
“Instead of being an ass wipe, Ram, try your Dick Chip.” Chay nodded to Margo, clasping her palm in his so she could draw energy from him to work her magic.
Ram, who lazed in a chair, threw his leg off the arm and sprang forward, tapping his wrist. “Hey. Not going through, man. Cool.”
“Check out the TV,” said Chay.
When Brak pressed the remote, all he got was snow.
“Red, go way down the hall. I’ll let you know when to come back. We talked about control. Try to lasso your energy.”
Chay waited until Margo was out of hearing before he turned to the males. “I asked Margo to be my mate. She agreed. So, the next Firebrand who disrespects her is going to be eating his balls. Bing. Pow. Read me?”
Rein, who already knew the situation, stoic-ed his expression while Brak, Ram, and Tyr exchanged stunned looks followed by “Ouch,” “Hey, man,” “Sorry,” “We didn’t know,” “She’s a great female,” and “You don’t deserve her.”
“Just don’t let any rude shit happen again. Okay, hit the remote.” The TV was normal, a weather announcer reporting flash flood warnings in Knife’s Edge. “Anyway, guess choosing the distant apartment didn’t work.” He opened the door into the hallway. “Okay, Red, demo over.”
When she stepped into the room, Tyr, who leaned against the fireplace mantel, nodded a greeting. “It’s rare. Your witch gift. You’re special, Margo.”
“Uh. Thanks, Tyr.”
Rein scrubbed a hand across his jaw. “Your D-chip tracking was all over the place while you guys were locked in a cell. We couldn’t get a clear enough signal to trace you. She draws her mojo from you.”
“Yep,” said Chay, tossing an arm around his mate-to-be’s shoulders. “She’s super charged, but she doesn’t have a lot of control yet.”
Brak pointed to an empty chair. “Hey, Margo, you want a seat?”
“Thanks. I’m fine.” She snuggled into Chay.
The ylve snapped his fingers. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking, Rein? Another witch or warlock with her same abilities could be blocking Kole?”
“You mean, maybe somebody’s knocking out the comm’s chip and the CLO’s portal jumper?” Ram twisted toward Tyr and Rein. Tyr was full-blooded warlock, and Rein was a triple threat. Vampire, incubus, and warlock. They’d be in the know.
Rein scrubbed a palm across his jaw, looking tired from the weight of subbing for Kole. “The thought crossed my mind. I’ll tap Alarik. See if he knows a mage with the gift.”
“Don’t bother,” Tyr interrupted. “I got a prime candidate. There’s an old, powerful dude who could do it. Uwrick. He controls radio waves like Margo. He’s two cans short of a six pack and shiesty as hell, though. He hires out to bad guys for a shitload of money. Now, when I say powerful, I mean A-lister.”
“He can’t control shit with his ass on Scath and his target on Darque, though,” said Rein. “Not possible.”
Tyr nodded. “I agree. If it’s him, he’s probably holed up somewhere on the wilding realm. How far away do you think he’d need to be, Rein?”
“A mile, maybe. Maybe not that far. He’d have to keep pace with the commander and Chief Maxwell. Move when they do.”
Ram scooted forward in his chair. “Got a plan, Rein man?”
