“That’s not right, Raphael,” I hissed. “You told her she could go free if she told you what you needed to know.”
“Yeah, well, I’ll tell people what they want to hear if I think it will get me what I need.”
“I don’t like it. She’s not really much of a threat. Why don’t we let her go? You let the Amazon go.”
“The Amazon surrendered and explained that they’d been duped by Rowle. Besides, the Amazons respect a good fighter. Beating them and then showing mercy toward the survivor gives us a lot of respect with them. That may come in handy in the future.”
“And can’t we gain some respect from these people if they see that we’re not the evil bastards they think we are?” I asked.
“I don’t know. I’m not used to mundanes attacking me. Night magic users, sure, even some witches who are just misguided, but for the most part no one messes with Wanderers, and we make a point of encouraging that behavior by not letting anyone survive an attack on us.”
I grabbed his hands and squeezed them in mine. “Rafe, I don’t want to kill her. If I hadn’t become your apprentice, I might have ended up working for someone like this Swamp Posse group. I’d hate to think you’d kill me just because someone duped me into attacking you.”
I could feel his emotions swirl and I wished we were meshed. I thought that if he felt what I felt, he wouldn’t be able to kill Abrams in cold blood.
For a minute, Rafe didn’t say anything, and then he pulled away. “All right, then. If it means that much to you, we’ll let her go. But if we encounter her again, I’m not going to be merciful.”
“I understand and I agree,” I said, trying not to let the relief I felt appear in my voice.
Rafe walked back toward our familiars and Abrams. After a moment, I followed.
“Okay, Abrams, on your feet. It’s time to go,” Rafe said as he reached Beast.
The woman gave him a look of concern, but then she seemed resigned and stood up.
“I’m ready,” she said.
“Good,” Rafe said. “Now let’s get one thing straight. If you ever point a weapon at either of us again, I’ll make an example of you. If properly motivated I can remove all of your bones without killing you. I suggest you find another line of work or at least make sure no one sends you after a Wanderer again.”
“You…you’re letting me go?” Abrams stammered.
“Yep, start walking,” Rafe pointed toward the road. “Raton is about twelve miles that way. Walking, you should make it by dawn.”
Abrams glanced toward the direction Rafe pointed. She nodded at him and then at me. “Thank you. I…I appreciate you not killing me.”
“Just remember my warning. I don’t give a second chance to everyone and a third chance to no one.”
Abrams nodded once more. “I understand. I won’t forget.”
She starting walking toward the distant glow of Raton. She had gotten about three steps when she collapsed to the ground.
I stared at her, unbelieving my own eyes, and then I turned on Rafe and punched him in the shoulder. “What did you do?”
“Watch it, Apprentice. I just put her to sleep,” Rafe said as he knelt beside her.
“But you said we’re letting her go.”
He gripped a small portion of her hair, maybe a dozen individual strands, and yanked them out.
“What’d you do that for?” I asked.
Rafe stood, tied the hair in a knot, and tucked the lock into a pocket. “In case we want to find her later. She’s our only lead to these people, and when I get the chance, I’m going to have a talk with her bosses.”
“Oh,” I said, catching up. “You need something of hers for a locator spell. But she said she wouldn’t be with them anymore.”
“No, what she said was that she wouldn’t come after us again. That doesn’t mean she wouldn’t still work for them. This way, when I want to get more information from her, I can find her.”
I nodded. Rafe had been doing this most of his life and knew what he needed. I was just trying to understand so that I wouldn’t always be ignorant about everything. Being an Apprentice Wanderer is like being a little kid. Everything is new and exciting, but you have to ask a lot of questions. The more questions you ask, the faster you learn.
Rafe knelt beside Abrams again and shook her awake.
“What? What happened?” Abrams asked, groggily.
“Looks like you passed out. You might have a concussion. You should probably try to stay awake until you get medical assistance,” Rafe said.
He helped her to her feet.
“Yes, thank you,” Abrams said. She oriented herself and then started walking toward the road, a little faster than last time.
I watched her until she reached the edge of the clearing and hit the road.
“Well, this has certainly been an interesting day,” I said.
Rafe laughed. “Interesting times we live in. Sounds like the old Chinese curse.”
A familiar voice spoke behind us. “You actually let her live. You continue to surprise me, Wanderer.”
Rafe and I snapped around to see Loki standing ten feet away. The Norse god was clad in ornate, shiny leather armor from his boots to his throat. A golden helmet sat upon his head, and a pair of long curving horns protruded from the front of it. He had an enormous sword in a scabbard hanging from the left side of his belt.
“Loki! You bastard!” Rafe snarled. He raised his hand and a bolt of energy struck Loki in the center of his chest.
Chapter 12
Therese
Holy shit! I had a chance to think before self-preservation kicked in. I triggered my shield tat and backed away from the two men. Well, one man and one god. Sheesh! What was Rafe thinking to attack a god?
The energy blast pushed Loki back a half dozen feet, but other than that, there was no sign he’d even been hit.
Rafe raised
