Sorceress, Interrupted - By A. J. Menden Page 0,64

horrible. And I was just paralyzed, I couldn’t do anything to help him or to stop Dylan. He just stepped over Johnny’s body when he was done and came at me, grabbed me by the hair.” She shuddered. “I thought for sure he was going to rape me or something, but he just held me so that I had to look him in the eyes and he said, ‘Bet you wish you were nicer to me now, don’t you?’ When I said yes, he laughed and let me go. He said he was going to let me go for old time’s sake and to show he had some mercy—at least for now. But he wasn’t going to be as generous with everyone. And he didn’t want me to tell anyone.” She twisted the skirt of her long dress in her hands. “Johnny’s still in a coma and no one expects him to ever come out of it.”

“Well, it sounds like you were lucky he didn’t drain you, too,” I said, still waiting for the shoe to drop, for her to spring the trap. “Why do you think he let you go, London?”

Her eyes darkened, as if she realized that I didn’t wholly believe her and was playing along for some other purpose. “Why do you think, Fantazia?”

“I think he left you alone so that he could use you later. Like, for luring an unsuspecting and very powerful acquaintance into a trap by begging and groveling for her help.” I flashed an evil smile. “Because you believe there’s no way I could resist groveling.”

All the fire remaining to London seemed to leave her. Her body visibly sagged, and she nodded. “You’re right. But you know that already, don’t you? You always know everything. You’re always right, Fantazia.” She said the last with bitterness.

I shrugged. “It’s a gift.” Though not always a happy one.

London looked me in the eye. “Well, you’re right. He finally got to me. Got to my family, to be more precise. He said he’d kill my sister and my niece and nephew if I didn’t trick you. My niece is three, and my nephew’s just a baby. I couldn’t let him hurt them, Fantazia. I had to do what I could to protect them. I know you don’t understand that, but—”

“Oh, I understand all right,” I snapped. “Dylan wants to kill me to prove how big and bad he is, and he’ll use anyone he can to do so. I get it. I’m the biggest and baddest, so naturally I’m a target. If I wasn’t, I think I’d feel slightly insulted.”

She shook her head. “If he had his way, he’d leave you alone. That’s what he said, at least. He’d stay far away from you. But it’s not him in charge, I guess. He said one of his associates needs you and he has to fulfill his end of the bargain. I’m just the go-between.”

I raised an eyebrow, surprised. “The Dragon?” What did the Dragon need with me?

“I-I don’t know who. Dylan never said.”

London reached out a hand, and I took a step back to stay out of her reach. She looked hurt, but too bad. You don’t get to set me up and then get all touchy-feely afterward because you’re guilt-ridden.

“I don’t know if you’ll believe me or not, but I’m sorry, Fantazia. I truly am. I don’t want to hurt anyone. I just want my family to be safe.”

“You’re right, London. I don’t believe you,” I said. “But I always knew everyone’s out for themselves.”

For a moment I thought she was going to cry. Then I heard the door open behind me, and I whirled to see who’d come in. The couple arguing in the hallway now stood there, smiles on their faces and the Dragon’s brand on their arms. So it looked like the Dragon had decided that he needed my specific magic for his nefarious plan.

I glanced at London, keeping my back to the wall. “You were worried about Dylan and his cronies, London, but did you ever worry what would happen if you crossed me?” Her eyes went wide, and I could tell that she was just realizing she’d made a powerful enemy if I made it through this. She’d better hope I didn’t.

I turned dismissively away from her, illustrating how little a threat she was in my eyes. Instead I focused on the cultist couple. “I suppose you two are going to try to steal my magic for the glory of your