Magic Trials (Half-Blood Academy #1)(9)

I stared back at him, holding my ground.

His face, playful a moment ago, turned steel hard.

As power rolled off him, a brutal wind whipped around me, screwing up my facial expression and tossing my lavender hair about.

Now I would have to comb my hair again!

The wind didn’t make me shake in my boots, but it rumbled the old library blocks away. If the remaining glass shattered because he’d thrown a fit, he’d have to cover expenses for the repair. I’d send the bill to the Half-Blood Academy, where the demigods resided, according to rumor.

His magical wind threw everyone else backward, but it didn’t work on me.

Had he spared me alone, or was I simply so awesome that I could resist his power?

I got the answer when he silently commanded me, Kneel.

The word of power slammed into my mind, and I desired nothing more than to drop to my knees and show him my soft belly in submission.

But I wasn’t that kind of girl. His manhandling only infuriated me.

I braced my feet apart and glared at him. His eyes turned molten gold at the defiant fire in my eyes.

I’d truly pissed off a demigod.

A small yelping sound from Circe and Jasper confirmed just that. I’d help them up after I dealt with this asshole.

All gods, demigods, and demons were merciless psychopaths. There was no difference between them. Just look at how they tore the world apart with their male egos and wars.

There was no good guy on either side.

I braced for a blow from the demigod. I wasn’t his match, and my daggers and arrows wouldn’t do a damn thing to him, but I would still put up a fight.

His power increased, and I felt like the weight of a truck landed on my slender shoulders.

Cold sweat dampened my armpits.

A cocky smile tugged the demigod’s lips as he waited for me to drop to my knees in front of him, but I was one hell of a stubborn chick.

I refused to bow or kneel to anyone.

Be gone. You’ll not crush me! I screamed at the weight, and then suddenly it was lifted. I felt light as a feather.

What’s happening?

Even since I’d met and possibly vanquished that demon, I seemed to possess some magic. My words commanded power. Maybe I’d stolen the demon’s power without knowing it?

That was cool if there were no side effects.

So giddy that I’d resisted a demigod’s compulsion, I flipped him the bird.

Everyone who saw my finger gasped.

Had no one ever shown a demigod a vulgar gesture? I might be bold and aggressive, but I wasn’t crazy enough to be suicidal. I just often acted and reacted before I thought things through.

It was too late to undo the damage now, but I dropped my hands and placed them on my hips.

A dark, voracious light flashed through his bright golden eyes.

So I smiled at him, sending him a signal that I could be nice, too, if he wanted to be friendly.

It must’ve worked because he didn’t strike me but met my gaze as if I were the only person in the world. Then his eyes roamed my every inch.

That cherishing gaze made me so hot I nearly purred like a kitten being scratched under her chin. A current of electricity sparked between us, and pleasure buzzed over my skin.

Was that what people called chemistry?

The demigod stalked closer, his hands stuck in his pockets to show how harmless he was. That gesture wouldn’t fool me. He could attack with a thought. I knew how dangerous he still was.

I prickled at his proximity, and dread seeped through my body.

Automatically, my knuckles went white on the hilt of my spear, and my other hand moved toward my gun, the cold metal a comfort against my warm fingers.

A challenge rose in his vicious, yet sexy eyes. Contrary to how I’d handled the other hooligans, I wouldn’t be foolish enough to attack a demigod first. You couldn’t kill a godly creature with a bullet or even dark magic.

And I didn’t want to kill him. I wanted to do something else to him.

I reined in my wanton thoughts.

A hot ember sparked like dragon fire in the demigod’s eyes. He enjoyed making me nervous, savoring my carnal reactions to his presence. But I didn’t intend to show him anymore weakness, including this sudden, absurd lust.

I held my chin high.

He strolled around me, intentionally, just to get another reaction out of me or simply to annoy me. I wheeled accordingly, staring him in the eyes, never showing him my back.

“Which demigod are you?” I demanded.

I knew currently there were four demigods ruling half of the Earth, but I didn’t know who this one was.

Instead of answering, he cocked his head to the side and sniffed me.

“Hey!” I shouted. I considered that an insult. I wasn’t to be sniffed. I’d hunted in the forest today. I’d run from the demon. I’d fought werewolves and gangs. So naturally, I smelled sweaty. I’d intended to take a shower after the market visit, but my plans had been interrupted by all these uninvited interactions.

His gaze brightened like the stars, and in the reflection of his golden eyes, I saw mine also light up. But I didn’t like the way he drew me to his flame. I didn’t like losing control, and this demigod was making me nuts.

“We’re law-abiding citizens, mister,” I said, sweeping my spear until its head pointed right at the werewolves. “You won’t take any member of my coven, but you’re more than welcome to round up those up-to-no-good scumbags. They should fight the demons in the frontier at your Dominions’ command instead of harassing innocent small-town people.”