Page 123 of Christmas Magic

Chapter Twenty-One

Lucian sheathed his sword and raced after Crow, who was heading toward the intersection of Bent Tail Boulevard. While Lucian would have preferred to keep his sword drawn, he didn’t want to accidentally injure any Regs while chasing the bastard.

Anger boiled in Lucian’s veins. Manipulating him was one thing, but causing Molly anguish? Unacceptable. Crow would sorely regret what he’d done.

Ahead, Crow picked up his pace. He wove through a group of teenagers and then jumped up, as though to avoid an obstacle on the crowded sidewalk—perhaps a dog or a stroller. Judging by his movements, he ran along the stone edge of a decorative planter.

As The Dealer landed back on the sidewalk, he lurched forward. A pained grunt reached Lucian.

Ha!

Limping, Crow continued to flee, but Lucian swiftly closed the distance between them.

Sweat streaming down his face, Crow spun.

Breathing hard, Lucian halted. He raised his hands, palm up, ready to do battle.

“You can’t stop me,” Crow sneered.

“Can’t I?”

A hard smile tilted The Dealer’s lips. “I’m stronger than the last time we fought—and have a few new weapons.”

“You can tell me and The Experts more later.” Magic flared in Lucian’s palms—

A black shape, resembling a column of smoke, rose from Crow’s wrist. It grew taller, swayed from side to side. The area below the rounded head widened, forming the hood of a snake about to strike.

Crow’s cobra tattoo.

Alive?

How?

He’d never seen such a thing before. A ghastly chill spread through Lucian.

“Before your magic could hit me,” Crow said, “my cobra would be in the crowd. See those two toddlers with their mother? My snake could bite one of them, or perhaps the wheelchair-bound grandfather, sitting with his sons and grandsons.”

“No,” Lucian muttered.

“I doubt the paramedics in Cat’s Paw Cove have ever seen a cobra bite. The magical venom?” Crow tsked. “Nasty. The folks who got bitten wouldn’t survive.”

Lucian fought to control his rage. “How is your tattoo alive?”

Crow smirked. “Let’s just say I discovered a few secrets.” His expression hardened. “You are going to let me go now. Try to stop or follow me, and I will release my snake.”

He would.

“Will you ruin this Christmas for some good folk?” The Dealer said. “Or do we have an understanding?”

Lucian silently cursed. He didn’t want to be responsible for any Regs, especially children, being harmed right before the holidays.

He lowered his hands. “This fight between us isn’t over.”

Crow smiled. “Until our next meeting, then.”

“Are you sure you’re not hurt?” Molly didn’t dare tell Lucian how worried she’d been when he’d pursued Crow. Thankfully, her fiancé had returned to her and appeared unharmed.

Careful not to tread on Tim, who was playing with a packing peanut, Lucian pulled her into a hug. “I really am fine,” he said, kissing her brow. Judging by his tone, however, his fight with The Dealer hadn’t gone well.