LITMIR.BIZ

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to reveal scores of words flickering across a backdrop of erupting volcanoes, accompanied by the most splendid music. The music ebbed away and an army of warriors rode into a village.

      `How is this possible?'

      `I know. They had a lousy budget but the director's amazing.'

      `But it is… is it magic?'

      `Not yet. The wizard's not until the next scene.'

      Were they speaking the same language? It had to be magic. `How long have you had picture walls?'

      `The big screen? Ethan put it in when he built the house.'

      `He was a magician? Your brother?'

      `Huh?' A frown creased his brow.

      `Was he a mage? Or was he a warrior and that is how he died — in battle?'

      `You're the weirdest girl I've ever met. I mean, you're beautiful and you're hot, but you are weird.'

      `Is it impolite in this culture to talk of the dead?'

      `It's not what you ask, it's the way you speak.'

      `I merely asked you about your family. I never had a brother or sister. Were you two close?'

      His brow furrowed. `Not as a child — he was older, though he always looked out for me after Mum died. We only got close after he came back from overseas.'

      `Your mother has also passed?'

      `I don't remember lots about her, except her face and her perfume, but she…' His tawny eyes darkened as tension wired the air. `Why all the questions?'

      Discomfort snaked through her. `I am merely talking.'

      `Who do you work for?'

      She was a royal princess. She had never worked for anyone.

      `Are you a reporter?'

      Another word she did not quite understand.

      `Oh God, I'm an idiot!' Max jumped from the chair, dumped his plate on the table and raked a hand through his hair. `You're a journalist, aren't you?'

      `Ah, no.' Journ-a-list. Bard. Gossip monger. Why would he think she wished to profiteer from his secrets? `I apologise if my character appears unpalatable. My goal was not to part you from your reputation. Rather, I hoped to gain your trust.'

      He closed in on her. `You're kidding! I may be half-drunk but I'm past believing you dressed up in Dungeons and Dragons gear for a night on the town, and just ended up at Darryn's by mistake. You knew who I was, didn't you? I admit, the foreign Goth chick had me going, but I'm not giving you a story, so you may as well leave. Now!'

      `But I do not—' Something strange caught her eye as Max also grabbed her wrist.

      `Don't make this harder or I'll phone the police!' he said.

      A shadow lunged at them.

      Fast. Dark. Violent.

      Shahkara leapt from her chair and shoved Max out of harm's way. Her white, lethal talons snapped out from behind her knuckles and she drove her fist through the air, towards her enemy's throat.

       Too late!

      Enemy talons!

      The predator pierced her forearm quickly, like a viper. She hissed at the burning sting of torn muscle and skin and tried to jerk away. He held her fast as his other taloned hand ripped away her sheathed sword and belt, scoring her flesh, then drove his talons towards her, zeroing in for the kill.

      Chapter Three

      Not today! Shahkara rammed her knee into the attacker's groin. He loosened his grip as he grunted out a growl. Her talons gouged his face and blood pelted the air. His clawed hands lashed at her but she leapt away.

      I refuse to die today. Her breathing ragged, she blinked at her adversary's grey hair and craggy face. Max's bodyguard!

      `You're a Taloner?' Jack laughed. `The Master would love it! I'll make you a deal. Kill him and you can have his heart. All I need is his head.'

      `No!' Blood dripped down her arm, tickling her flesh even as her skin started to heal.

      `You can feed on him — or whatever else. I just need him dead by the end of the night.'

      `I want him alive.'

      `But you're a Taloner. You can't possibly—'

      Her talons whipped towards his carotid artery but he deflected. She was forced to retreat. `I am half-human.'

      `You're half-Taloner? So you don't want to feed?' He laughed again. `You're keen on him! Oh, this is rich, especially when you've practically served him up on a plate to me. I've been trying to kill Max for weeks but there's always been another guard around. You flash your long lashes and bingo!'

      She edged closer towards the kitchen. `You are his bodyguard. Slaying him negates your code.'

      `Our creed is to our own kind, not humans. They are prey. Or pawns, like Max. Why aren't you part of the coven and why do you betray your blood? Were you raised by a woman who had no idea what she'd slept with?'

      Had her mother lain elsewhere? She knew nothing except that her father the King had not been a Taloner.

      `Not very chatty, are you?' His gaze was menacing as he approached. `Join our coven.'

      `No.' Her fingers scaled the edge of the kitchen bench.

      `Let me have the boy. You can't protect him as a half-blood. You're too weak.'

      Shahkara snatched the chicken knife from the bench and hurled it at him. His taloned-hands flew upwards to shield his head, as she dived forward and sank her claws into his belly.

      He roared like a lion and stumbled backwards, dragging her with him to the floor.

      Pain ripped through her shoulder. The knife! He'd caught it and thrust it into her collarbone. Blood slicked her skin as she struggled against him on the tiles. She twisted her hand inside his gut and clutched for his heart.

      He tried stabbing her again, but her other hand snapped hold of his wrist, holding him and the blade firm.

      `If I die, someone else will kill him.'

      `Not if I kill them first!'

      Sweat licked her brow as she strained to overpower him. Her hand trembled against his greater strength. She was caving. She had to be strong! Jada…

      Her hand faltered, he broke free.

      The blade surged towards her. No! Heart pounding, she grappled to free her hand from his insides, but it was trapped by his labyrinth of gut.

      Crack! Steel against bone. A grunt escaped his lips, his blade dropped to the floor, and his lifeless body collapsed against her. Praise Danu!

      And there, standing over them, was Max — gripping a large frypan. He'd saved her!

      His lips parted to speak but the words froze on his tongue.

      Shahkara dragged her bloodied hand from Jack's innards, rolled his body off hers, and struggled to her feet. `You are more resourceful than you appear.'

      Pain gripped her as she retrieved her sword and, with one stroke, beheaded the bodyguard. Bile tainted her mouth. Despite the horrors her people had faced, killing Taloners still cut her to the quick. Was it because they look human or because she shared their blood?

      Max dropped the frypan. `He was probably dead already. You didn't need to decapitate him!'

      `There are only two ways to kill a Taloner — chop off its head or rip out its heart. You would rather I let him live?'

      `No, it's not that, it's just… He was so nice.'

      `Until he tried to kill you. He was waiting for the right moment to

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