Page 12 of The Tracker's Secret
Oh, God.
I wished for my gun, so I could shoot the mage bastard, but it was tucked in a drawer in the office where I had left it, hoping I wouldn’t need it again. Talk about wishful thinking. It seemed Stephen’s kidnappers weren’t done with him, and now they’d sent someone to kill him.
Smirking, the mage walked in Stephen’s direction, sending chairs and tables out of the way with a flick of his wrist. He glowered at the twitching wolf with disdain, then twisted his hands into another spell, the killing blow.
I glared at my hands, willing my claws to come to the surface. If I could shift now, I would be able to help Stephen. But despite my anger and frustration, nothing happened.
Really, Red? All morning you’ve been itching to come out and now you chicken out? Why?!
The mage’s mouth twisted with contempt as he prepared to unleash death on Stephen.
I struggled to my feet, teeth clenched against the pain, and limped out of my hiding place.
“Leave him alone, you coward,” I spat.
He surveyed me, appearing annoyed. “‘Coward isn’t a word the weak have a right to use on the strong,” he said.
Clearly, he had forgotten about the ass whooping I gave him in Elf-hame. I was surprised he wasn’t singing soprano after I punched his balls into his throat.
He pulled his crackling hand back and, with a quick flick of his wrist, released the magic he’d prepared for Stephen and sent it flying in my direction.
Screams rose all around me. Time slowed to a crawl as I stared wide-eyed at the fiery ball of magic whizzing toward me.
I’m dead.
That was the only thought that crossed my mind, though my instincts flexed of their own accord, and I ducked out of the way, never taking my eyes off the swirling energy.
I stared in wonder as it passed by a few inches above my head. The magic slammed against the wall, destroying a picture of two juicy tomatoes on a cutting board. I staggered sideways and held onto a nearby table as bits of the wooden frame exploded outward.
My head snapped back toward the mage. His expression let me know how pissed he was, though he didn’t seem surprised that I’d evaded his attack. I, on the other hand, stood in shock, my jaw hanging open. How the hell had I moved so quickly?
With a dismissive grunt, the mage turned his attention back on Stephen and prepared a brand-new attack.
“No!” I yelled as he unleashed it.
Out of nowhere, a shape slammed against the mage, knocking him to the floor and diverting the blazing magic, which hit the register and set it on fire.
Two shapes struggled on the floor. I limped closer to get a better view and found Jake on top of the mage, his clawed hand wrapped around the man’s throat.
With a predator’s rumble in the back of his throat, he said, “If you want to test my speed against yours, go ahead. I’ll be glad to rip out your throat at the least little provocation.”
Relief flooded me, burning away the adrenaline that had been coursing through me and keeping me upright. The next thing I knew, my strength abandoned me, and I collapsed to my knees. My vision blurred, and my spine rippled with pain. Weakly, I crawled towards Stephen and laid a hand on his furry neck.
“Hey,” I croaked as I felt for a pulse. I released a pent-up breath when I felt it. Gazing in Jake’s direction, I gave him a reassuring nod, then slumped next to the brown wolf, the pain from my burns getting the best of me.
In the distance, I heard sirens approaching. The police would be here soon, and hopefully an ambulance with a healer.
“Toni,” Jake called out.
I couldn’t see him as I lay there, eyes focused on the upturned legs of a wooden chair.
“Hey, Toni, talk to me,” he said, concern dripping from his voice.
“I’m alive,” I mumbled incoherently, which seemed enough to pacify him.
Tires screeched outside the restaurant, then came the sound of people shouting and running all around, barking out orders.
“Hands up,” a voice boomed.
