Page 32 of Tell Them That I’m Coming

Thane doesn’t turn his attention on the other male right away.

I do.

As I stare at him, the fae bandit steps fully into view, golden skin catching the faint moonlight, dark hair tied back with a strip of leather. He carries himself with the easy confidence of someone who’s never worried about dying, and likely never will.

His gaze skims over me, pauses, then sharpens.

“Oh,” he murmurs. “Now that’s interesting.”

Thane sighs as he takes a step toward the newcomer—and another one that is, coincidentally, takes him right in front me. “You’re trespassing, Morgane.”

The other fae grins. “We’re bandits, Aurex. Trespassing is the profession. Or have you forgotten in your old age?”

“I’ve seen half as many centuries as you.”

“All the more reason that you should relinquish your companion to me.” His eyes narrow slightly, head tilting. “She’s a demoness.” The amber color glows. “An Outsider. Oh, yes. I want her.”

No, he fucking doesn’t.

Sensing my sudden unease, Binx launches himself from his perch on my shoulders. He lands soundlessly on the moss, rising up on all fours, his ears arrows back as he hisses at Morgane.

Morgane glances down at Binx, loosing some of the fae’s lazy amusement. “What⁠—”

My breath catches just as Thane swoops down, so quick that he manages to grab Binx before the ungez even knows that he moved. I can sense that Binx is stunned that Thane has bundled him up against his chest, though he doesn’t fight back as Thane whirls, shoving Binx at me.

I accept my soul-pet, murmuring softly so that he knows I’m okay, that he doesn’t need to protect me… not when Thane is obviously willing to do it.

He’s back in front of me again, bracing his legs, fingers tapping the hilt of his sword. “I found her first.”

The other fae stops watching Binx with a curious tilt to his head, instead focusing on the much bigger threat.

“Thane,” he says with a laugh that reminds me of my fae bandit, “you know the rules. If you carry a prize worth noticing, someone’s bound to ask for a look.”

“And you’ve looked.”

“Mm.” Morgane hums. “And I’d like more than a look.”

I stiffen, ready to back away and get out of his sight, but Thane only rolls his shoulders, loose and unbothered.

“First blood,” he says. “Or are you feeling ambitious tonight?”

Morgane laughs outright this time. “Always first blood. I’m fond of my head where it is, and our numbers are few as it is.”

Thane nods in agreement, and as one, they both pull their swords from their sheaths.

The steel just about sings. The sound is different from anything I’ve ever heard before, almost musical in the motion.

Then they bow.

They actually bow.

“Winner keeps his prize,” Morgane says cheerfully. As thought they’re not about to engage in a swordfight, the fae bandit is cheerful.

What the…

Thane lifts his sword. “And the loser pays.”

“Gold?” the fae asks. “Is that all you want, Aurex, then⁠—”