Deborah joined my side, watching as Kat went into a frenzy, scoring her nails over her flesh. Ribbons of skin peeled away, blood running as Kat dropped to roll on the ground.
“What’s wrong with her?” Deborah asked in horror.
I shook my head. “I’m not sure.”
Pixie dust was bad, but was all this carrying on really necessary?
I nudged Kat with a toe. “Get a hold of yourself. You’re in the middle of battle.”
Kat didn’t react as she tore at her face, not stopping even when she reached bone.
“Is that the same stuff Lowen used on you?” Deborah asked uneasily.
Kat staggered to her feet.
“Oh no.” I grabbed Deborah, pulling her out of the way as Kat sprinted at us. The vampire didn’t slow, running headfirst into the cement wall behind me as if that was her intention all along. Her skull collided with a meaty thud.
It wasn’t enough to kill her though.
Maybe that’s why she took a step back and repeated the exercise. Again. And again. And again.
By the second time, Deborah had buried her face in my shoulder, her body giving a jerk every time Kat beat her head against the wall.
I wished I could look away too, feeling a little sick. And definitely mentally scarred for life.
Kat finally went still, her brains showing through her shattered skull. She’d beaten herself to death.
I looked at Inara in horror. “Tell me that’s not the same dust you used on me.”
“Why do you always ask questions you already know the answer to?” Inara sniped as she fiddled with her bow.
Deborah lifted her head to look at the pixie with a disbelief that mirrored mine.
“Were you trying to kill me?”
“Of course not. You’re fine, aren’t you?”
From nearby, a vampire screeched. The agonized sound the same as the one Kat had made. I looked over to find Lowen flying away from him.
“I thought pixie dust was only supposed to be an irritant?” I yelled at her.
“It is. Mostly. This is our own special blend.”
Any attempt at remaining calm shredded.
Fuck calm and reasonable. I was going to commit pixiecide.
“Again—were you trying to kill me?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Your magic breaking power needed a stronger obstacle to overcome. We provided it. You can say thank you at any time.”
I watched her with an open mouth. Was she crazy? Thank her? I was more likely to kill her for this.
“Next time, ask permission first,” I hissed.
Inara’s shrug was dismissive. “You would have said no.”
Damn right I would have.
