I copied the tone and words I’d heard a very old Jörmungandr use when Mom had dragged us halfway around the world to visit him.
“This is not about possessions," I snapped. “This is about respect. Reparations must be made before we can discuss tribute.”
Get comfortable asshole,I thought.I’m going to baffle you with diplomatic bullshit, then rip you into pieces when my brother gets here.
Chapter 26
Bec
I was already dealing with left over pain and weakness from the magic Gale and Lars used on me. When I hit the car it was as if what little energy I had left was knocked out of me.
I knew I was in danger, but it felt like I was watching everything from a distance. There was no sense of fear, all I wanted to do was close my eyes and slump over.
A familiar figure came into view.
“Beatrix?” my voice sounded hoarse, but at least I could talk.
“Hi, sweetie,” she whispered, bending over and grabbing me under the arms. With a surprising show of strength for someone only a little taller than me, she hauled me to my feet.
I tried to stand on my own, I really did, but my legs had the consistency of cooked noodles. Despite my best efforts, Beatrix had to do most of the work.
As she dragged me away from where Lomis and Danzig were talking, I felt something fall from around my neck. I looked down to see the charm Elena had given me, broken in two.
It had saved me and then broken in half just as she’d said it would. It would probably be best if I didn’t get hit with magic again.
“Bec, come on,” Beatrix said, still basically carrying me. “We need to get out of sight.”
I looked up and saw that Beatrix was trying to get me over a small embankment. It wasn’t much, but it was better than being out in the open.
Something made Beatrix stumble, and we both went to the ground.
“Damn it,” Beatrix cursed and pulled me close. She extended her wings, making them into a shield for us.
“Your pixie wings might be powerful armor, but they won’t protect you from me,” Lomis taunted. “Bring the human back here, and I’ll let you fly away.”
“Let them go,” Danzig said. I could tell he was trying to sound bored, but there was tension in his voice. “Pixies only have defensive magic and humans are common creatures. They are of no interest.”
“I disagree,” the druid said. “One of them is the reason you’re here. It must be the human. Is she your mate?”
This was bad!
“Of course not,” Danzig scoffed. “The void would never give me a pathetic human as a mate.”
He was so convincing I almost believed him.
“If Danzig is able to distract the druid again, we need to go for that sheltered spot,” Beatrix whispered. “Marduk said that those guys need line of sight for most of their magic.”
It wasn’t a great plan, but it was better than no plan, so I nodded my head. All the movement was helping me come backto myself. My body was hurt and not working great, but my brain was trying hard to come back on line for me.
“If they aren’t worth anything, then it shouldn't matter if I kill them,” Lomis said.
Danzig hesitated, giving Lomis all the answers he needed.
“Hand over my void-tie or I’ll kill them both,” Lomis said. “I can do it faster than you can get to me.”
He was holding up another collar looking thing. It took me a moment to realize that Hugo had been wearing a collar that looked similar. I’d thought it was odd he wore two collars, then never thought about it again.
Now I understood why everyone wantedthe dog. Leif had made Hugo the keeper of the void-tie.
