He released the woman and stepped back. She collapsed in a heap at his feet and remained there. Which was odd—why hadn't she zapped back to her body? In fact, why hadn't she done that when she was first attacked?
Now leave, I said. Get off the fields.
He didn't react, didn't reply. He just stood there, his unseeing face pointed in my direction, as if he were studying me. The unease crawling through me grew stronger, but I ignored it and imagined myself closer to the woman. The charm at my neck burned to life, its white light slashing through the shadows. Whoever—whatever—this man was, Ilianna's magic didn't like it.
Did you hear me? I swung Amaya in warning. She reacted fiercely to the vibration pouring away from the stranger, spitting and hissing purple fire that danced across the shadowed buildings around us.
I heard. His voice remained soft and oddly free of emotion. But you should know that what I claim, I keep. You have saved no one here, huntress.
I wouldn't be so sure of that, stranger.
He cocked his head sideways. If he'd had features, I think they would have appeared . . . amused. If you are so confident that you can save her, why don't we play a little game?
There wasn't a snowball's chance in hell of me playing any sort of game with a featureless freak on the astral plane. I swung Amaya again, her kill, kill, kill chant crystal clear in the back of my thoughts. For the moment, my desire for control was stronger than her need to attack, but I had to wonder if that would always be the case, given she'd already tried to take me over once before.
I'm not interested in playing games. I just want you gone.
Ah, but this game involves saving the woman's life. We both know you are interested in doing that, huntress, or you would not be here.
He was right, of course, but I saw no point in admitting the obvious.
He nodded in the woman's direction and continued. She has twenty minutes of life left on earth. If you can find her in that time, I will let her live.
Twenty minutes? That's hardly fair.
Life is never fair. He shrugged. That is the offer. Take it or leave it.
And if I don't take it?