Raised in Fire (Fire and Ice Trilogy, #2)

by K.F. Breene

What is this hold you have on me, Reagan?” “No hold. I’m a naked chick and you’re a creepy dude. Your reaction is pretty standard.”

Since I also currently lacked eyebrows and my hair, unbrushed, was pulled up into a bun, there was nothing hot about the situation other than the beholder’s imagination. Annnnnd that just solved the riddle.

“I have never understood your infatuation with kicking things in.” “We all have our vices.”

I threw the door open the rest of the way and jumped into the room, my sword drawn in front of me, ready to cut through a hex. Something leapt out from the right, streaking through the air. A wall of fire roared in front of me. I hadn’t meant to summon it. A spire of flame shot out, raking across the back of something small and headed straight for me. I hadn’t meant to summon that, either. The thing screeched and darted away, its tail on fire. I cut out all the flame, getting a grip, just in time to see the creature disappear under the bed.

I stalked forward and swept my gaze across the room. The rumpled covers indicated someone had slept there last night, but it was currently empty. Small artifacts littered the dresser and one of two nightstands. He was single and often slept alone. Somewhat neat, but not anal about it. My boots creaked as I sank down onto my haunches, trying to see whatever had darted under the bed. As if hearing my unspoken question, Darius said, “It was a cat.” I pulled in a breath. “That thing jumping at me was a cat?” “Yes. You firebombed a kitty.” “Crap. What kind of a monster sets fire to a cat?” I grimaced and got on my hands and knees. “Are you sure? I don’t want some creature that you mistakenly thought was a cat to dart out at my face.” “I am sure, yes. It was a black cat.” I crawled a little closer, searching for it. The smell of burned hair tickled my nose, making me potentially feel worse. Potentially, because I wasn’t fully convinced it was an actual cat, and not some vile thing with three rows of teeth that the mage had found lurking in the wilds of the Realm. I’d seen some crazy things in my life. A lump much too close to my face shuddered and hissed. Something flung out at me. I jerked back. Flame roared in front of my face again, blocking anything from advancing. “Of all the things to fear, a cat gets you jumpy?” Darius asked with humor ringing in his voice. I sighed and ripped down the wall of fire. “Are you positive it’s a cat? I think it threw something at me.” Darius w...

I dodged the grab and sliced up with my sword, intent on cutting through any newly solid air. Instead, my blade caught his wrist. His severed hand went flying across the room. Oops. He howled, clutched his wrist, and broke for the door. “Don’t play with air, and I won’t lop off body parts,” I said by way of a half-felt apology, and lurched after him.