Well, that was fast…
Anna released him at once. “You didn’t even try.” Her tone was annoyed, confused, and he shot a narrow-eyed gaze her way.
“You didn’t answer my question,” he said.
She frowned. “Stand up.”
He obeyed, but paused on the crowd gathering at the periphery of the clearing. She followed his gaze, scowling. The curse she muttered elicited from him a small laugh. “Do you always draw a crowd?” he asked.
She shook her head. “They’re vultures. Just ignore it.”
He glanced at the growing swarm. “Kind of hard when their emotions are trying to burn my flesh.”
A smile swelled in her eyes, but she smothered it in her expression. “Put your hands up and try to stop me.”
“I will if you tell me what you know about Morgan’s magic.”
She launched herself at him. This time, he swatted her fist away before it made contact with his person, but her other hand gripped his shoulder, and her knee thrust into his stomach.
The air burst from his lungs in a great spasm, and the crowd erupted into cheers and laughter.
“Get him, Anna!” they shouted.
“Djiantetrash!”
“Put the traitor on his ass!”
Doubled over, David took a moment to catch his breath. When he looked up, his gaze caught on Sean’s cobalt blue. The other man stared, penetrating, neither smiling nor jeering.
Just…watching.
“Why aren’t you trying?” Anna murmured.
“Why won’t you answer my question?” he replied, still breathless.
She huffed. “Because I don’t want to.”
He half smiled her way. “Neither do I.”
“Take him down, Anna!” Cathaire shouted.
She spared an irate glance for her trainer, then returned her attention to David. Voice low, she said, “This would be more fun if you’d play along.”
He allowed himself a small laugh. “You want to play with me, Anna?”
Her blue eyes flared with something that bordered on interest. “That depends. Do you play fair?”
“Why would you play the game if you’re going to follow the rules?”
Heat spiraled through her emotions, so fiery David could almost feel the warmth on his skin. She put her hands on her hips.
“Tell me about Morgan’s magic,” he said, fighting the urge to use the voice to get his way.
She launched herself at him, and this time, she didn’t hold back. Her fists clipped his chin in a quick one-two. A leg slammed into his ribs. A foot pummeled his chest in a powerful blow.
He stumbled backward.
She attacked before he gained his footing, her forearm plowing into his shoulder so he lost his balance. He fell hard to the ground, and the crowd whooped in delight.
