“Meaning?”
“I’ve already fought through two of the game levels, so we’re getting close to the Dark Court. This place,” she swept her arm out, “has the right mushrooms, and it’s night.”
He looked up at the dark blue sky speckled with stars. “Night, but not midnight. No moon.”
“Yet.”
She cupped her hands, and a second later held a glowing ball of flame. It rose into the air to hover a few inches above her head, casting a reddish illumination over their surroundings.
“Now.” She turned to face him, her expression stern. “What did you do to open the gateway, and can we fix it from here?”
He glanced around the clearing. The place was completely unfamiliar. No mirror images, no wall of code. At least, he didn’t think so. He went forward a few paces, hand outstretched, stepping over the pale mushrooms to the path leading between dark trees. His questing fingers met no resistance.
“Can’t do it from here,” he said. “We need to get closer to the court.”
“Great. Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?”
“Good thing you’re with me.” His weak smile faded under her narrow-eyed stare.
“Come on.” She started down the path, the ball of flame bobbing overhead. “And don’t do anything stupid. More stupid than you already have, that is.”
“Wait.” He caught up to her and took her arm. “I get it. I totally screwed up. Believe me, I feel like crap about it, and I’m trying to make amends here. So you can quit riding me.”
She stared at him a minute, and then her gaze dropped to the leaf-strewn path beneath their feet.
“It’s not just you I’m riding,” she said. “I failed. If I’d pulled you out earlier, when I saw you in-game, none of this would have happened.”
“I wouldn’t have come. Stop it.” He held up a hand as she started to speak again. “You were hurt, the hunt was on your trail, and I honestly don’t think you had the time to fight me into submission and drag me back, one-handed, to the mortal world.”
She pulled a breath in through her nose, then let it out. “Fine. We’re not done with this, but for right now let’s focus on closing that gateway.”
The night forest rustled with strange noises as they continued along the path, and Spark’s ball of fire made the trees loom ominously. Shadows flickered over the trunks, and Aran set his hand to his long-knife, senses on full alert.
“Halt!” A figure leaped onto the path, blocking their way. “You may not pass.”
Firelight shone off his sword and the burnished bronze of his chest piece and helm. Aran drew his blade and called upon his skills as a Saboteur to melt into the darkness surrounding them. He stepped off the path, carefully setting his feet on the dark patches of loam and avoiding any telltale twigs. If Spark kept the guy distracted, Aran could sneak around for an unexpected killing strike.
“Stand aside,” Spark said to the armored figure.
The attacker moved closer to her, and Aran drew his blade. No way was he going to stand by and let Spark get injured again in-game. He lifted his knife and lunged forward in a deadly strike.
Nine by Night: A Multi-Author Urban Fantasy Bundle of Kickass Heroines, Adventure, Magic
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“Spark?” The warrior lowered his sword.
“Aran, stop!” Spark yelled.
Twisting, Aran managed to turn his attack away from the warrior’s neck. The blade slid down his opponent’s armored shoulder with a screech, and the warrior pivoted, swinging his sword at Aran’s head.
He ducked and pulled his second blade, heartbeat pumping urgently.
“Both of you, stand down,” Spark said, pushing between them. “You’re not enemies.”
“You sure about that?” Aran asked.
“Yes.” She nudged him away from the warrior. “Aran, meet Roy.”
The warrior pulled off his helmet, revealing ordinary human features, and studied Aran. Neither of them said hello.
After a moment, Roy sheathed his sword and turned to Spark. “I was wondering when you’d make it in-game.”
“You’ve been here all night?” Spark asked. “You must be exhausted.”
“I’m fine.” Roy shrugged, but Aran was sure he was lying. “I said I’d message you when I got out. What, you think I forgot?”
Aran shot a glance at Spark. This guy had her private number? He shoved down the hot stab of jealousy. After all, he had no claim on her—in fact, had blown his chances pretty spectacularly. Even if she did keep the rock he’d given her on her nightstand.