Devilish Game (Shadow Guild: The Rebel 4)

I reached the bench and flopped onto it, the potion bomb clutched in my hand. Every hair on my body stood on end as I waited. If this guy was anything like the last, he’d be fast and powerful.

As I sat, I could feel Grey’s gaze on me, as well. Everyone else was ignoring me—or so it seemed. I could feel their attention just as strongly, even though they weren’t looking at me.

When the kidnapper appeared behind me, I sensed it. A slight change to the air, like a prickle of magic that stung my skin. The scent of burning tires preceded him, his dark magic impossible to hide. The sound of crunching gravel sounded only a few feet behind me.

I leapt up and spun around, heart hammering.

The red-eyed bastard stood right behind the bench, his huge shoulders slightly hunched and his mouth twisted into a permanent grimace. Shock flashed in his eyes, and I hurled the potion bomb right at his chest.

It bounced off as if there were a barrier surrounding him, slamming to the ground and exploding.

What the hell?

He lunged for me, and I darted backward, fear icing my skin.

Magic surged on the air, and lightning struck from above. It shot downward from the flying figure who hovered right overhead—Eve. The bolt aimed true, slamming into the man’s head, cracking and bright.

He didn’t so much as flinch—just leapt over the bench and grabbed for me. I ducked, darting to the side to avoid his grasp.

From behind, a dozen blasts of magic shot through the air. They slammed into the man, a rainbow of different attack spells conjured by the witches.

Horror dawned as every single one bounced off him. One slammed right into me, turning my knees into jelly as I slammed to the ground,

suddenly weak.

Through bleary eyes, I spotted a glowing charm around the kidnapper’s neck. Was that what was protecting him?

Conflicting desires surged within me—run and attack. But we’d never have another chance.

If only I could get that necklace . . .

The kidnapper lumbered toward me, rage in his eyes. He was determined to finish the job now that it had started, and the attack had just pissed him off.

As I scrambled to my feet, Grey appeared at the corner of my vision. He hurtled toward the kidnapper, as fast and powerful as a train. In seconds, he’d reached the hulking brute. He grabbed for him, but the protective shield around the bastard blew Grey backward.

He was prepared this time. Though he flew ten feet through the air, he landed in a graceful roll and popped up to his feet, ready to charge again. Behind him, the witches and my friends were converging, magic glowing around them as they readied themselves to strike.

Yet, it wouldn’t work.

I was the only one who could possibly get to him since he wanted to catch me. I drew my dagger and lunged for him, so close that I could see the scowl lines dug deep into his face.

I raised the blade, drawing his attention to the gleaming steal. He was distracted just long enough that I could swipe out with my free hand and yank the charm from around his neck.

A blast of magic shot from the sky above, slamming into his head. He went to his knees, his roar of pain echoing in the night. I planted my dagger into his shoulder, but he was too fast. He swiped out with a massive fist, slamming it into my face.

Pain exploded through my skull, my vision blackening as my legs weakened. A strong arm grabbed me around the waist, and the painful magic that shot through me made it clear that it wasn’t a friend who’d grabbed me.

Through flickering vision, I caught sight of Grey. He was nearly to us, fear in his eyes and rage twisting his mouth. An explosion of orange powder sent fear racing though me.

The transport charm.

I felt the ether suck me in right as Grey arrived. He followed us into the ether, the party disappeared from behind him, replaced only by black. His hand grazed my arm as he tried to grab me away from the kidnapper, but the ether was stronger, yanking us through and spinning us away.

I nearly blacked out, the pain and pull of the ether too much. When the ether spit us out at Ugarit, the kidnapper chucked me to the ground. I landed hard, pain singing through my shoulder. Weakness pulled at every muscle, and I just lay there, eyes slitted.

Well, shit.

I’d been kidnapped.