Read Forged in Fire for Free Online

our buddies?” asked Fabio.
    “Yeah. A demon-boy like you.”
    “Tried to kill you?”
    “Redundant much?”
    My bravado almost convinced even me. Why, oh why hadn’t I listened to Jude? Shucking off the trembling sensation in my gut, I focused on who would do what first, trying to find my moment to act.
    Fabio turned his head to say something to Pit-bull boy. I took that second of distraction to make my move. Leaping in two bounds, I punched him at the base of the throat, jabbing two keys into his windpipe. He bent forward and grabbed his throat. I spun and double-elbowed him in the ribs and face. Pit-bull boy lunged for me, leaving his groin open and vulnerable. Stupid move. I kicked him fast and hard like I would a soccer ball. He fell with a groan.
    “Bitch,” he growled.
    “You have no idea.”
    I spun fast. Scary spiky dude was nearly on top of me. Ducking his attempt to grab me, I sprinted for the car. I wouldn’t have enough time to open the door, hearing his steps right on top of me. Turning, I kicked up toward his chest. He caught my leg and twisted. I fell face-first to the pavement. He landed on top of my back to keep me still. Hell no! I elbowed up into his ribs over and over again. He shifted a little, and I thought I would be free, but Fabio was there. Damn!
    Spiky flipped me over, holding my legs, while Fabio sat on my chest to keep me still. “Feisty one, aren’t you?” He grinned as blood dripped from his nose and down his chin.
    He wiped his upper lip with the back of his hand. I think I broke the cartilage in his nose. Good.
    “No worries. He likes a little fight. Makes things more interesting.”
    “Listen, Fabio. Don’t you dare bleed on me. No telling how many diseases you have.”
    He gripped my throat. Oh, come on! Did they have any other move?
    “I see someone has been here before me,” he said, rubbing his thumb over Sandy-hair’s bruise. “Who was he? Why did he try to kill you?”
    “Get off me, you smelly bastard!”
    I pushed, but he was heavy, almost unmovable.
    “Oh really? What are you going to do?”
    Someone cried out. Pit-bull boy? Fabio glanced over his own shoulder, still holding me down. Spiky released my legs. I heard scuffling and the sound of steel on pavement. Thankful for the diversion, I planted my feet and rolled my hips up hard. Fabio tipped sideways, releasing his grip on me to catch his balance. I rolled over and scrambled to my feet. He was up and in front of me just as fast, blocking my way.
    “Going somewhere, sweetheart?” He pulled a long knife from a hidden sheath inside the front of his jeans. “Why don’t you come quietly, like a good girl?”
    Seriously? “I don’t think so.”
    A sudden high-pitched scream drew our attention. Behind him, there was Jude, in all of his masculine glory, holding a long sword thrust deep into the chest of Pit-bull boy. Wait, a sword? What century was I in?
    His victim screamed while Jude chanted something under his breath. He held his other hand out, palm flat in the air toward Spiky, who railed and beat against an invisible wall he could not pass. As Jude chanted, a faint reddish-gold light haloed his body, similar but brighter than the first night I met him. Electricity snapped in the air, raising gooseflesh on my skin. Then it happened again. The flaming light took form around Jude’s body. Wisps of gold swept into rippling arcs around his frame. So beautiful.
    Was this for real? I knew I was standing there like an idiot, mouth agape, but I couldn’t move. My brain tried to process what I was seeing. Jude continued chanting inaudible words, his fiery aura growing brighter. Pit-bull’s body combusted into orange flames, shriveling and shrinking into a charred husk. With a wave of his hand, Jude swept the remains of ashy bone into the wind. He fixed baleful eyes on Spiky, who stopped beating on the invisible shield still protecting the demon hunter. Spiky staggered backward and ran.
    I finally came to my