Read Online Goddess's Saga 1: Touch of the Goddess by Maria Hammarblad - Free Book Online Page A

didn ’t even blink when the thug tried to hit her, but smirked when Stephan caught the fist in a grip that wouldn’t budge. He closed his fingers around the other man’s hand, crushing it, and the pain was enough to bring the assailant to his knees.
    I didn ’t see that coming, but I like it.
    “ We do not hit women. I’m not saying I’m perfect, but hitting them is just wrong.”
    He handed the bear to Maria.
    “You take Mister Teddy, babe, and look after your friend. I’ve got this.”
    The younger man seemed too preoccupied with the pain from his hand to resist much. He was trying to protect it, an d Stephan shook him a little.
    “ Don’t you faint on me you little wimp.”
    I have a very able protector. I like it.
    His willingness to defend her satisfied her ego.
     
    *****
     
    Stephan grabbed the man’s shirt and pulled him towards a back door.
    “ Space idiot. If you were to attack me I could forgive it, but her? You’re not even worthy to step on the same floor as her.”
    As they got closer to the door, the man fought to pry Stephan’s fingers open, struggling to get loose, but it only resulted in the grip on his shirt tightening further. He kicked Stephan’s leg, and was rewarded with a shake.
    “ Don’t do that.”
    The door led to an open space behind a restaurant.
    “Please don’t hurt me anymore, man, it was just a girl.”
    Stephan dropped the woul d-be slave dealer on the floor and watched him crawl backwards, holding the damaged hand in front of his chest.
    “ You can have her, you don’t even have to pay. We have more of them, lots, and pretty.”
    “ It’s my lucky day, huh?
    The irony was wasted; the other man nodded ferventl y.
    “ Yeah, man, all yours, just let me go. Wha’cha say?”
    What am I going to do with this idiot? She ’s probably perfectly able to take care of herself, but he tried to hit her.
    The very thought of someone attempting to harm his Goddess made his hands itch for breaking something. There could be only one punishment , and her ancestors or whatever would probably approve.
    “ I’ll pay you. Everything’s for sale, name your price.”
    Glancing around, there weren ’t any people in sight, and the area seemed clear of cameras. That was a very fine dumpster just a few feet away.
    “ It’s not your lucky day pal. She might have let you live, but I won’t.”
    It was over in a couple of seconds. Someone would get an unpleasant surprise when it was time to empty the container, but oh well.
    He shrugged, dusted his hands off , and went to look for his girl.
     
    *****
     
    Maria gazed after Stephan and mumbled, “Hurry back.”
    It took a couple of seconds for her to remember what she should be doing. Up close, the young woman’s face was even worse than she expected. One eye was swelling closed and she had bruises everywhere.
    Her poor nose, poor jaw... How can so many people pass by without even lifting an eyebrow?
    She helped the girl out of the water and sat down next to her on the edge of the fountain. The perpetrator would get what was coming to him and there was no need for her to go kick anyone, but a good kick might have been satisfying.
    Oh well, I did get to hit him, and I ’m sure Stephan won’t let him off easy.
    “ Close your eyes for a moment and focus on my voice. Everything is going to be alright. You are safe now.”
    No one even looked their way and it seemed safe to assume no one would pay attention. Maria healed the girl’s wounds and bruises and did her best to sound cheery.
    “ Open your eyes and look at me.”
    The girl clung to Maria ’s arm with one hand and touched her own face with the other.
    “ I’m Maria Callaway. Remember my name. If you’re ever in real trouble again, you can call for me, and I’ll hear you. Okay? Want to tell me what brought you here?”
    “ You healed me. How... How’d you do that?”
    “ Trade secret. Don’t tell anyone or I’ll get a queue of people with toothaches and splinters.