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My breath shuddered. My curse responded. A burning sensation moved through my chest.

She continued my way, and looked directly at me.

There’s no way. . .

I went still.

My glamour held, yet her gaze was fixed on my hiding place.

She walked forward until barely ten feet of space ran between us.

What the fuck are you doing, human?

I forced more energy deeper into the spell. Pain exploded behind my eyes. The glamour strengthened.

That didn’t matter. It was like. . .she could see through the glamour.

No. That can’t be.

She took the final steps toward me. “What happened to you, buddy?”

I stared at her.

Buddy? She can’t be talking to me. Like I’m a fucking dog.

She stepped closer.

And to my shock. . .my magic shuddered with pleasure.

What?

Next, she slipped her hand into her pocket and pulled out a small pinch of something white.

What is that? Salt?

I sniffed the air.

No. It’s. . .something older than salt and more powerful.

When the white powder fell from her fingers and landed onto the stone between us, she spoke three words that weren’t English.

I blinked.

Then she stepped over the line she had just drawn. When she got right next to me, the crazy woman lowered. "Oh my God. I don’t know who you fought but you may want to sign up for a karate class or something."

Excuse me?

A dark chuckle left her. “You got that ass kicked.”

I widened my eyes.

Her gaze traveled over my injuries. Then she slowly looked down toward my tails. "What are you?"

Unfortunately, my shattered throat could offer no answer.

Slowly, she leaned forward.

I growled. The sound came out wet and fractured.