“At least you won’t come last!” one of the men said. “She’s a lady after all.”
“And therefore incapable of throwing a knife?” Mary said, looking from the knife she now held to the target.
“That’s right.” But the voice was uncertain now.
Mary drew back her arm and released the blade. It hit dead center of the target. The women in the crowd that had formed behind them clapped loudly. The men were silent. She turned fully and looked at the wide-eyed, now pale Bertram and saw Zachariel Deville.
His blue eyes locked on hers and she saw a flicker of something, but from this distance she couldn’t read his expression which was vexing. Mary had a feeling she needed to be awake on all fronts around that man from now on.
“You both cheated! You conned me!” Betram roared. “I won’t be cheated!”
“How is it we cheated when we had the same selection of knives to choose from as you?” Adam asked.
She was pleased to see him standing up to the bully.
“You should not have bested me. A cripple and a b—”
“That word better not leave your mouth,” a deep angry voice said.
“Hello, Zach,” Adam said.
“Hello, Adam. Well done, by the way. Nice throwing,” Zach said, but his eyes were on her.
“I had no idea you were so accurate with a knife, madam, congratulations. One wonders what other talents you have hidden from us all these years.”
Dear Lord, did he know?
“They cheated!” Bertram continued to yell.
“I think you are crying fowl, Bertram,” Nathanial Deville said.
The bystanders laughed.
“It is but a poultry thing to strut like a rooster, Bertram,” Zach said, still looking at Mary. “So, get to it.”
“Indeed, no point brooding, man. Get the job done!” Abby said.
The crowd was roaring with laughter now.
“I’m not doing it,” Bertram growled. “I won’t be bested by a cripple and a woman.” He took a step closer to Mary and Adam, fool that he was, and raised his hand, which she thought was just a threatening gesture. Zach believed differently.
He grabbed the man’s arm and pressed his thumb above the inside of the elbow. Bertram dropped to his knees with a howl of pain.
“Now get up and do your best rooster impersonation,” Zach said, hauling him back to his feet. “But first you owe these two people, who bested you, an apology.”
“There is no—”
“There is every need,” Zach interrupted Mary.
“S-sorry,” Bertram said.
“Now off you go, and I’ll be watching.” Zach pushed him away.
Bertram then flapped his elbows and crowed as he walked through the crowd. Mary took the opportunity when the attention was off her to slip away. A hand stopped her.
“I understand why you did that, and thank you for supporting Adam, Mary,” Zach said. “However, you were foolish to take that risk. He could have hurt you.”
“With so many people around I think not.” Mary scoffed, but she didn’t look at Zach. “Now release me.” She pulled her arm free, and he let her. She then walked away.
