Rune
The two sides of the man’s torso turn to ash as they strike the ground.
“Holy shit,” I whisper as I watch, peeking around Vameer’s side.
“Mon Coeur.” He starts to turn, his voice back to that honey-dipped tone I love.
A door slams open across the street.
Vameer blurs past me, putting himself between me and the sound of boots on pavement.
“Go inside.”
Protectiveness of my own clashes against his command.
I saw what he just did. Saw how he killed that man. But I don’t care.
I won’t leave him.
Six men, all in matching black clothing, stand on the other side of the street. Facing us.
Hands empty, I curl my fingers into fists and step up beside Vameer.
“Rune,” Vameer growls.
One of the men lifts the gun in his hand, then the rest follow suit and aim at us.
“Go inside.” Vameer keeps his attention forward.
“But—”
The smoke floating around Vameer’s bare feet wraps around me. “Stay in the stairwell.”
Before I can say more, I find myself at my front door.
The smoke stays wrapped around me until I’m inside. Then it flattens itself against the door. Covering the wood is a shimmering layer. Blocking me from leaving.