Page 52 of The Demon's Fire
“No. No.” Hot Guy, soon to be her next subject, twisted his lips into a roguish curl when he sauntered toward Margo. “The human was awake, doing his duty.”
Strange.
Hot Guy took her right hand and placed it on his pec, covering it with his own.
Hard. Nice.
Margo drew back. Her palm was on fire. She turned to Long-and-Leggy and Scrubs Gal. “You’re both lovely, too. Don’t get me wrong, but I’m really feeling the guy. I can only afford one of you. So, bye-bye.” With a grip on each woman’s shoulder, she shoved them toward the door.
Her visitors exchanged glances. Hot Guy spoke for them. “Whoa, Red. We’re from the Cleveland Clinic where you had a series of blood samples taken to determine your risk of coronary artery disease.” He patted his chest. “Chay. This is Galena and … um … Healer.”
“Yeah. It runs in my family. I don’t get it. You’re not models sent by my agency?”
All three shook their heads.
Margo chuckled. “You must think I’m crazy. I’m a sculptor and was expecting a model for a project I’m starting. So, what’s this clinic thing?” She gave them a skeptical squint.
“There was a problem in the lab, corrupted specimens. We need to take another sample.” Long-and-Leggy moved a step closer.
“And you’ve come to my home to do it?”
Hot Guy nodded, his eyes smoldering with seduction.
I’d love to get him into my studio. The body. The muscular-skeletal structure. The bronze skin. The aquiline nose. The genitalia. Crap. Where did that come from?
Margo’s hands snapped back to her hips. “Doubtful. I can’t even get a doctor to return a call, but the clinic sends three lab assistants to retake blood. Give me a break. I’m no idiot.” Her hair was once again bouncing with energy, her head bobbing from side-to-side in disbelief.
Margo gripped the door edge, prepared to push them out. The one Chay had called Galena planted a hand on the frame and spun toward her.
“Oh, holy schism.” Galena grabbed both of Margo’s shoulders, setting her aside. With ease. “Your charm is not working, Chay. You can’t pretty your way into her apartment. Healer, do your stuff.”
Margo’s temper trumped what should have been fear. “You are no lab tech. Neither is he. They don’t wear combat boots or skintight cargos. Now get the hell out of my condo.”
Scrubs Gal flicked a wrist. “Please admit us.”
“Nice spell.” Galena tossed an errant braid behind her ear.
Margo paused, rubbing her arms, a sudden chill giving her goosebumps. “Sure.” She stepped away from the door, inviting her guests into her apartment. “What did you say you were here for again?”
Throwing an arm around her waist, Chay drew her toward a chair in the kitchen. “Have a chair, Red.”
Margo’s feet imitated the robot shuffle. But before she was fully seated, she sprang up. “Hey, I asked you to leave. Get out now.”
Scrubs Gal’s eyes owled open. “The spell should have lasted longer. I must do a stronger one.” She moved close to Margo, muttering soft words. “We’re here to help you. We’re friends.”
While she flopped into the chair, Margo’s quizzical brows pulled down as the familiar chill made her shiver.
Galena smirked. “She doesn’t look completely spelled to me. Let’s hurry. Healer, I think you must be a defective witch.”
“I’m the best at my job, Amazon.” Scrubs Gal opened a black case, taking out a wicked syringe. She stepped over to Margo, grabbing her left arm, putting it outstretched on the table. Tying a band above her elbow, she asked Margo to tighten her fist. She did, but jumped up again and ripped the band loose, tossing it onto the floor.
She shook out the cobwebs. “Whoa, right there. Leave. Now.” Margo sprinted to a drawer where she whipped out a large butcher knife, waving it at the three of them. “I’ll cut you. I will.”
Galena removed her jacket as if she was planning to stay. “Well, this is a monumental disaster. At least, they won’t be sending us on a blood-getting mission again.”
****
Skylerlatched onto Kole’s elbow when the Yetis streamed from their hiding places in the thickets, waving large clubs and surrounding them. A gigantic man stepped forward, his skin weathered, hair matted, his waist-long braided beard tied off with a narrow strip of leather.
