I reflect on how fortune’s whim changed the trajectory of this young woman’s life. Instead of prison, she had become an Army Ranger. One so deadly, a shadowy agency recruited her for the government’s most sensitive and dangerous off-books missions. Arguably a better direction, but one that would test her concepts of honor and service. Well, the government’s loss is my gain.
I straighten my sparkling purple jacket and adjust my pink bowtie. “The Amazing Kristoff,” I declare and flash my pearly whites.
I briefly thought about teleporting home, but I knew this wasn’t a problem I could ignore. I sighed, still at a loss for words. Finally, I said, “What do you want from me?” Weariness laced my words.
I leaned against the brick wall and crossed my arms over my chest. Looking up, I watched as fluffy white clouds moved slowly across the sky. Blowing out an impatient breath, I said, “Done being a baby yet?”
The women around me had synchronized their breathing and movements. They were dancing with the force within them. Every exhale released their limitations through shrieks of ecstatic joy. As riveting as it was to watch their activation, this sorceress in training did not have time to waste.
“This is one of the dumbest things Tooth has ever done,” he said. “Shanghaiing an immortal.”
“Be careful with that powder,” Than murmured as he continued to study the substance. “Something about this…” He stopped talking as the sandy dust lifted from his fingers and spiraled upwards towards the watch.
I giggled nervously and suddenly felt like an idiot. How does she make me feel this way and lose myself? I took another swig of my drink and turned towards Artemis, ready as I was going to be for our very public first kiss.
Becca gave a short bark of laughter. “This morning, my biggest concern was my divorce. Then my workplace gets invaded by…creatures…and we have to hide from them in the dark.”
The warm breeze shifts and Ky’Elli’s relaxed body suddenly goes very alert. Her nostrils flare as she scents the air.
