Magic Misled (Lizzie Grace #7) - Keri Arthur Page 0,57

not caring now if the thing ahead heard me.

In fact, it might be better if it did.

I sucked in another breath and then yelled, “I’m on my way! Stay still, and I’ll find you.”

Just for an instant, the cries for help stopped. It made me wonder if she recognized my voice. I’d been close to her at John’s after all—perhaps she’d heard me speaking to Monty and Aiden when she’d looped around the back of the farmhouse for a secondary attack. Or maybe it was the fact that it was a different voice—I guess it depended on why she was out here hunting.

I continued on, crashing through the scrub and the trees, occasionally throwing a hand up to push away a branch or to protect my face. Another soft cry for help had relief stirring. She was on the move again, but heading closer to me rather than away. I hadn’t scared her … but now that she’d changed tack and was coming after me, I’d certainly better do something about protecting myself.

I began to weave a capture spell. The energy was fierce and bright, lighting the way even as the spell’s heat pulsed across my fingertips. The inner wild magic was once again deeply embedded within the threads, and I had to wonder what changes it would make this time.

Another cry, this time slightly to the right. She was looping around me. I shifted direction and followed her, but the scrub got thicker and snagged at my clothes, hampering my speed.

Then, abruptly, there was a flash of white to my left. I slid to a stop, my breath a harsh rasp, my body shaking with a mix of tension and exhaustion.

More movement, this time to my right.

She was circling me.

I clenched my fingers against the need to release my spell and said, “Are you still out there? Can you hear me?”

There was no immediate response, but the back of my neck was prickling and every psychic sense I had was now screaming that she was close and I was in danger. I swallowed heavily, my gaze scanning the immediate area, looking for some sign of movement. The wind stirred past my nose but held no hint of her acidic scent.

And yet she was close. So damn close.

“Are you there?” It came out thick, deeply edged with fear.

No response.

The ever-hopeful part of me wanted to believe she’d either decided I wasn’t worth the trouble or she’d realized I wasn’t who she was after.

The ever-practical part recognized that for the stupidity it was.

She was still here. Still moving. Still sizing me up.

Then, from my left, came the faintest brush of air.

It was the only warning I got.

Chapter Nine

I dropped flat and grunted in pain as stones dug into my stomach. The sound of material ripping was followed by a sharp sting across my back. Then bare, grimy feet landed several meters ahead. I quickly unleashed my spell.

She spun as it tumbled toward her; just for an instant, I had a clear view of the mess that was her face. She thrust out a hand, her fingers ending in claws that were as sharp as razors. Energy surged, and a black blot similar to the one that had destroyed Monty’s spell hurtled toward mine. The two crashed into each other, but neither spell immediately got the better of the other.

The bitch wasn’t hanging around to see the winner; she ran on, moving swiftly through the trees and the darkness.

I scrambled upright and raced after her, a tracking spell forming around my fingertips. But just as I was about to throw it, the magic behind me exploded. The force it unleashed hit my back like a hammer and tossed me several feet in the air. I smashed into the ground and slid for several feet before coming to a halt inches in front of an old tree trunk.

I pushed up, wincing as various bits of me protested the movement, and scrambled on. But there was no trace of her now, either on the ground or in the air. Even the psychic lines were quiet.

I swore violently, then glanced down at my hands. The left one had copped most of the damage from the slide, and though only the scrapes on the fleshy section near my thumb could be described as deep, it was all bleeding quite profusely. My knees had at least fared better, as my jeans had protected them from the worst of the fall. I grabbed a tissue out of my