AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Did you seriously just fling fucking water at me?” Izban demanded, an indignant look on his face.
“Yes,” Macey replied. “If that’s the only way to get you to listen, then that’s what I’m going to do. We don’t have the time to mess about explaining everything to you in minute detail.”
“Why not?” His nostrils flared. Macey would have laughed, but she figured that would only inflame him more. Or should that be inice him? She snickered to herself. Yes, that was more like it. She could just imagine him being the cold angry type as opposed to the passionate angry one.
“Because a lot is riding on us sorting out this fucking problem.” Macey just about stopped herself from stamping her foot. It was taking just about all the diplomacy skills she possessed not to do it. Something about this man just seemed to be pressing all of her buttons. Her etiquette tutor had warned her about this. She’d said that some people would wind her up regardless of what she did, and the best way to deal with them was deep breathing and counting to ten. Macey tried that. She failed.
“Who says there even is a problem?” Izban raised an eyebrow at her, while Jared shook his head behind him. Macey tried not to look at him, if she did, then she may well end up laughing, particularly as he’d now started to pull faces.
“You, for a start. You’re here because your girlfriend got kidnapped, aren’t you?”
“She’s not my girlfriend,” he muttered darkly.
“Partner? Wife? Whatever she is...”
“My sparring partner. From school.” He looked at her expectantly, but all she could return was a blank stare. She had no idea what he was on about. “No wonder you’ve no idea what you’re doing if you don’t know such basic stuff.” His eyes lit up as he threw the barb at her.
“I lived in a loch. You know, under the water. And treat me with some respect. I’m fucking royalty,” Macey blurted, letting go of any kind of restraint within her. She regretted it instantly. She shouldn’t react this way.
“You know, I learned early on that anyone who has to tell you they’re something, is usually hiding something.”
“Or they’ve just been wound up to the extreme,” she muttered darkly.
“Alright, that’s enough,” Cam said, stepping between the two of them and attempting to diffuse the tension that was there. Macey would’ve thought she’d get on with Ice instantly. If Flint was her opposite, then surely Izban should be her compliment. They should work together easily, not rile each other up.
“She started it,” Izban pouted, suddenly seeming a lot younger than he had before.
“Okay,” Macey sighed, before stepping around Cam. “Truce?” She offered Izban her hand, but he looked at it as if she had some kind of disease.
“Seriously, Izban, we don’t have time for this,” Cam said sternly. Macey admired his quiet but sure demand for respect. It was Cam all over. Flint was the showman, and Jared was a little in-your-face, but Cam was a true diplomat. He wouldn’t have lost it like Macey had. She was just thankful she’d got to know the Cam beneath the mask. While she liked commanding Cam, she liked his softer side even more. Maybe because of that.
“So you keep saying.”
“We can help you save Lightn-your sparring partner.”
“How can you be so sure?” He was asking Cam, even though his gaze was still locked on Macey’s outstretched hand. Her arm was beginning to burn with the effort, but she refused to give in. There was no way she was coming off as weak just by giving in.
“For a start, five heads are better than one,” Cam said with a shrug.
“Six. Don’t forget Cat-Man,” Macey put in.
“Yes, but he wants to kill Izban, probably not best to give him the opportunity.”
“He won’t kill him. He respects his sister’s wishes too much,” Macey said quietly. She wasn’t sure how she was so sure about that. She didn’t know Cat-Man that well. But something within her said it was the truth. Cam nodded, acknowledging her words.
“Six heads are better than one. The second reason is that two of us can completely shield our minds. And we can teach you to do the same. It might not work all the time, but it might keep out the weaker mental threats.”
“You can?” Izban’s eyes widened and then moved to Macey’s face, lingering there slightly.
“Yes,” Cam replied. Macey’s gaze flickered to him and noted the bemused smile on his face. She wondered what that was all about, but now wasn’t the time to ask more.
“Okay, fine. But only until we save Amber.”
“You mean Lightning,” Macey blurted, making him scowl.
“You’re going to have to stop with the stupid prophecy.” The hard set of Izban’s eyes told her it was better just to let it drop.
“Fine.” For now, she added in her head.
