Beautiful Darkness (Caster Chronicles 2)

Ethan, get out of here.

I could hear the fear in her voice, but this time I was the one who didn’t answer.

“Hey, Boyfriend, how’s it goin’?” Ridley smiled and unwrapped a blue lollipop.

“Screw you, Ridley.”

She noticed Link behind me, and her smile changed. “Hiya, Hot Rod. You wanna take a ride through the Tunnel of Love?” Ridley tried to sound playful, but she sounded nervous instead.

Link grabbed her by the arm and pulled her toward him, almost like he really was her boyfriend. “What did you think you were doin’ back there? You coulda gotten someone killed. Ethan’s four-hundred-year-old aunt almost had a heart attack.”

Ridley snatched her arm back. “It was only a few bugs. Don’t be so melodramatic. I think I liked you better when you were a little more compliant.”

“Yeah, I bet.”

Lena stepped out from behind John. “What happened? Is your aunt okay?” She seemed like my Lena again, kind and concerned, but I didn’t trust her anymore. A few minutes ago, she was taking down the women she hated and everyone else in the tent with them, and now she was the girl I kissed behind the ticket booth. It didn’t add up.

“What were you doing back there? How could you help them?” I didn’t realize how mad I was until I heard myself yelling. But John did.

He slammed his palm against my chest, and I stumbled back.

“Ethan!” Lena was scared, I could tell that much.

Stop! You don’t know what you’re doing.

Like you said. At least I’m finally doing something.

Do something else. Get out of here!

“You can’t talk to her like that. Why don’t you leave before you get hurt.” What had I missed? Lena had walked away from me barely an hour ago, and now John Breed was defending her like she was already his girlfriend?

“Yeah? You should be careful who you push around, Caster Boy.”

“Caster Boy?” He took a step closer to me, curling his hands into fists. Big fists. “Don’t call me that.”

“What should I call you? Dirtbag?” I wanted him to hit me.

He lunged at me, but I threw the first punch. I’m stupid that way. I released all the frustration and anger I’d been holding inside the second my soft human fist made contact with his steel supernatural jaw. It was like hitting cement.

John blinked, his green eyes turning as black as coal. He hadn’t felt a thing. “I’m not a Caster.”

I had been in my share of fights, but none of them could have prepared me for what it felt like to be hit by John Breed. I remembered watching Macon and his brother Hunting fighting, their incredible strength and speed. John barely moved, and my back hit the ground. I thought I was going to pass out.

“Ethan! John, stop!” Lena was screaming, black makeup running down her face.

I heard John slam Link into the dirt. To his credit, Link got up faster than I did. Only he was back down again faster, too. I picked myself up off the ground. I wasn’t that banged up, but I was going to have a hard time hiding the bruises from Amma.

“That’s enough, John.” Ridley tried to sound cool, but her voice had an edge and she looked scared—as scared as Ridley could look. She grabbed John’s arm. “Let’s go. We’ve got somewhere to be.”

Link looked her right in the eye, which took some effort, considering he was lying in the dirt. “Don’t do me any favors, Rid. I can take care of myself.”

“I can see that. You’re a real Golden Glove.” Link winced at the dig, or maybe it was the pain.

Either way, he wasn’t used to being the one on the ground in a fight. He pushed himself to his feet and held up his fists, ready to go again. “They’re the fists a fury, Baby, and they’re just gettin’ started.”

Ridley stepped between John and Link. “No. They’re finished.”

Link dropped his hands, kicking the dust. “Yeah, well, I could take him if he wasn’t a—what the hell are you, man?”