Read Online Kiss of the Betrayer (A Bringer and the Bane Novel) by Boone Brux - Free Book Online
Authors: Boone Brux
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maniacal pleasure.
Luc’s mind raced for a way to protect both women. “If all you wanted was to rob me, why bring the whore?”
“Call her insurance.” A gapped and rotting smile stretched across his thin lips. “Since whether she lives or dies depends on your answer, I figured you’d be less inclined to refuse our kind offer.” Laughter rippled around the circle of men. “So what do ya say, my lord? Want to be our friend? All it will cost you is your purse.”
Luc trained his gaze on the leader of the group, but as the heat circulated through him, his other senses heightened. Awareness of each thief’s movement and position aligned itself within his consciousness. He knew despite the leader’s posturing, the man was not the most dangerous of the lot. The need to protect Jade rivaled the urge to batter each of these ruffians to a bloody pulp, protecting the whore only slightly lesser.
Luc kept his voice low and his meaning clear. “I have enough friends.”
“Well now, that’s too bad.” The leader wrapped his hand around the hilt of the dagger sticking out of his pants and pulled it out. “But I’ll be takin’ your purse just the same.” His eyes drifted to Jade. “And the woman.”
Blistering heat coiled through Luc’s hands. He squeezed his fingers in an effort to stem the flow. The fire pushed back, painfully demanding its release. “Leave now before I lose my temper.”
The men erupted in laughter. Sweat beaded on Luc’s skin, his powers fighting against the weak rein he had on them.
“Thanks for the warning,” said the leader. “But we’ll take our chances.”
The circle of men tightened. Jade pressed flush against him. There was no way to protect her. Knives and daggers were pulled from the thieves’ hidden pockets and sleeves. Back near the trees, another thief notched an arrow.
“Do something,” Jade said, making no attempt to keep her voice low.
The fear in her words pushed at Luc. Opening his hands, he let the fire pool in his palms. The freedom that releasing his fire caused was unexpected and euphoric. He fought for control, barely maintaining his command over the energy. A hundred battles never prepared him for the heady rush of knowing he couldn’t lose this fight.
He pivoted and flung two balls of fire at the men positioned behind him. Like dry timber, the flames engulfed their layers of clothing. Screams filled the woods. They pulled at their garments, unsuccessfully trying to rip the flaming cloth from their bodies. Seeking help, the burning men ran open-armed and flailing toward their comrades. The other thieves dove out of the way in an effort to avoid the flames. Luc saw two men duck back into the forest and disappear. Nobody moved to help and finally, the human torches fell to the ground, where they continued to burn, unmoving.
The smell of charred flesh assaulted Luc. One of the watching attackers fell to his knees and vomited. Jade spun, but Luc stepped aside in an attempt to block her view of the horrific scene.
She darted around him and froze. A look of shock blossomed on her face. Too late, he grabbed her arm, trying to pull her back against the protection of his body. A heavy thump sounded and Jade convulsed. She stumbled backward and slammed into Luc, her knees buckling. As she crumpled, he caught her in his arms.
“Jade?” He cradled her to him. “Jade?”
Her eyes grew wide and Luc followed her gaze. The shaft of an arrow protruded from her chest. Her mouth opened and shut a few times before forming words.
“I’m hit.”
He lowered her to the ground, trying not to disturb the arrow. Anger rolled through him like a dust storm across the desert plains of Alba. He looked up, his sight narrowing on her attacker. Rage took over, blotting out any thought for his safety. Without hesitation Luc jumped to his feet and cast a ball of energy toward the archer. The strike veered wide, blasting a tree into a hundred pieces. The man dove, but gained his
Luc’s mind raced for a way to protect both women. “If all you wanted was to rob me, why bring the whore?”
“Call her insurance.” A gapped and rotting smile stretched across his thin lips. “Since whether she lives or dies depends on your answer, I figured you’d be less inclined to refuse our kind offer.” Laughter rippled around the circle of men. “So what do ya say, my lord? Want to be our friend? All it will cost you is your purse.”
Luc trained his gaze on the leader of the group, but as the heat circulated through him, his other senses heightened. Awareness of each thief’s movement and position aligned itself within his consciousness. He knew despite the leader’s posturing, the man was not the most dangerous of the lot. The need to protect Jade rivaled the urge to batter each of these ruffians to a bloody pulp, protecting the whore only slightly lesser.
Luc kept his voice low and his meaning clear. “I have enough friends.”
“Well now, that’s too bad.” The leader wrapped his hand around the hilt of the dagger sticking out of his pants and pulled it out. “But I’ll be takin’ your purse just the same.” His eyes drifted to Jade. “And the woman.”
Blistering heat coiled through Luc’s hands. He squeezed his fingers in an effort to stem the flow. The fire pushed back, painfully demanding its release. “Leave now before I lose my temper.”
The men erupted in laughter. Sweat beaded on Luc’s skin, his powers fighting against the weak rein he had on them.
“Thanks for the warning,” said the leader. “But we’ll take our chances.”
The circle of men tightened. Jade pressed flush against him. There was no way to protect her. Knives and daggers were pulled from the thieves’ hidden pockets and sleeves. Back near the trees, another thief notched an arrow.
“Do something,” Jade said, making no attempt to keep her voice low.
The fear in her words pushed at Luc. Opening his hands, he let the fire pool in his palms. The freedom that releasing his fire caused was unexpected and euphoric. He fought for control, barely maintaining his command over the energy. A hundred battles never prepared him for the heady rush of knowing he couldn’t lose this fight.
He pivoted and flung two balls of fire at the men positioned behind him. Like dry timber, the flames engulfed their layers of clothing. Screams filled the woods. They pulled at their garments, unsuccessfully trying to rip the flaming cloth from their bodies. Seeking help, the burning men ran open-armed and flailing toward their comrades. The other thieves dove out of the way in an effort to avoid the flames. Luc saw two men duck back into the forest and disappear. Nobody moved to help and finally, the human torches fell to the ground, where they continued to burn, unmoving.
The smell of charred flesh assaulted Luc. One of the watching attackers fell to his knees and vomited. Jade spun, but Luc stepped aside in an attempt to block her view of the horrific scene.
She darted around him and froze. A look of shock blossomed on her face. Too late, he grabbed her arm, trying to pull her back against the protection of his body. A heavy thump sounded and Jade convulsed. She stumbled backward and slammed into Luc, her knees buckling. As she crumpled, he caught her in his arms.
“Jade?” He cradled her to him. “Jade?”
Her eyes grew wide and Luc followed her gaze. The shaft of an arrow protruded from her chest. Her mouth opened and shut a few times before forming words.
“I’m hit.”
He lowered her to the ground, trying not to disturb the arrow. Anger rolled through him like a dust storm across the desert plains of Alba. He looked up, his sight narrowing on her attacker. Rage took over, blotting out any thought for his safety. Without hesitation Luc jumped to his feet and cast a ball of energy toward the archer. The strike veered wide, blasting a tree into a hundred pieces. The man dove, but gained his
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