Read Online Sinful Magic by Jennifer Lyon - Free Book Online Page B

away.
    Key let go of Roxy and turned. “Hey kid, what’s your name?”
    The boy stopped and looked back. “Tyler.”
    He walked to the young man, put his hand on his shoulder and felt the sharp bones beneath the kid’s shirt. “This isn’t your fault, Tyler. You tried to stop the guy with the knife, didn’t you?”
    Finally the kid looked up, his face flushing. “I tried to grab his arm, but he’s stronger.” He looked down at his comic book. “I don’t know how to fight or anything.”
    Oh Christ. Key was looking at himself about sixteen years ago. Twelve or thirteen-ish, thin, gangly, and clueless on how to defend himself. No wonder the kid liked Dyfyr, the Dragon of Vengeance. If Dyfyr were here, he’d defend this boy. “Do you still want me to sign your book?”
    “Really?” He looked down again. “It’s kind of messed up. I read it a lot.”
    This kid was the reason he did signings. “That’s why I create them, dude. Not for plastic sleeves and display cases, but to be read.” He took the book from him, hiding his grin at the tattered condition, turned to his table, and grabbed the pen. He wrote, “To Tyler, a man with the bravery of a dragon,” before signing his name. He handed it back when a page slid out.
    Tyler didn’t notice the falling paper as he read the inscription. “Oh. Awesome! Thanks Mr. DeMicca!”
    Key bent down and picked up the page. It was a drawing, a pencil sketch of him at the table, bent over to sign a comic book. Behind his right shoulder, Dyfyr was crouched; his eyes watchful, his spiked tail partway up and he looked ready to explode into action. It was damned good. He looked up. “You drew this?”
    Tyler looked up and flushed a deep red. “Uh, I was, you know, just standing in line, and sketching. Just fooling around.”
    Key said, “Can I keep it?”
    The boy’s mouth dropped open. “Uh, yeah. If you want.”
    Hell, yeah, he wanted it. He’d put this up over his drafting table at the club, another reminder of who his real fans were. He held out the drawing and the pen. “Sign it.”
    Tyler’s eyes grew bigger. “Like an autograph?”
    “Exactly.”
    The boy took the pen and paper, leaned over the table, and wrote across the bottom, Tyler Yandell. Then he turned and held it out.
    Key took the drawing. “Thanks. You interested in learning some self-defense?”
    Tyler stood up straight, his shoulders back. “From you?”
    Key could teach the boy, but he had another idea. “I could show you a few things, but I know someone even better. She used to be a professional kickboxer. Her name is Ailish, and she’s here in town with me and a friend of mine.”
    He grimaced. “A girl?”
    “Ever hear of the Blind Kickboxer?”
    Recognition rearranged his face into awe. “Oh man, really? You know her?”
    He smiled. “Yep.” He turned to Roxy.
    Gone.
    Looking up, he saw her heading toward the door. Glancing to the kid, he said, “Stay here.” Then he ran over, winding between people, and caught up with her at the door. “Roxy.”
    She turned back to him. “Oh, your jacket.” She slid it off her shoulders and handed it to him.
    Ignoring her outstretched hand, he saw the delicate skin beneath her eye getting dark and puffy. “Damn. Your eye is bruising.”
    “I’ll put ice on it later.” She shoved his jacket into his hand; then both of them turned as police swarmed into the room. They insisted on talking to everyone. “Stay here with your bodyguard,” Key said, then walked over with the police to where security had the two thugs contained, giving his statement as he did so.
    He glanced back over to see a cop taking Roxy’s statement. Tyler was sticking close to him, so Key took out his phone and made the call he’d promised the kid.
    “Yeah,” she answered.
    That got a smile from him. “Ailish, it’s me.”
    “No info on Liam, but I won two hundred bucks!” “On slots!”
    He smiled. “Good, you’re buying dinner. Hey, I have a favor. A friend of mine wants to learn to fight.” He slid behind his table and sat down. “Could you meet