Sorcery & Widgets by Beth Powers

Author:Beth Powers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: urban fantasy, magic, space opera, dragons, action adventure, heroes, superhero, technology, shapeshifters, spaceships
Publisher: Beth Powers

“Sian?” It was impossible to tell how much time had passed, but it was still daylight when I awoke to Dagr calling my name. Had I been in human form, I might have answered before I remembered that we were no longer in the cave pretending to be safe from our nightmares. It was snowing again, and a thin layer covered my fur.

Dagr leaned heavily against the cave entrance. Even at this distance, I could see the wounds on his chest—I couldn’t tell if they were healing, but at least they didn’t look to be covered in sludge. After waiting another moment, Dagr frowned and turned to shuffle back into the cave.

I stood and shook the snow from my fur. That was it. I needed to put distance between me and the beastie. If Dagr collapsed after this, he was on his own. I glanced wistfully at the cave. It had been nice, but this was the last time I would put someone in danger. Even if I thought I’d outrun the beastie, even if they offered me sanctuary, even if I wanted to pretend that I could be safe, I wouldn’t let anyone else get hurt just because my nightmare had wings and haunted me like a whirlwind of destruction. No more.

Before I could vanish into the snow, Dagr reappeared, and I froze. My mottled coat would probably blend in with the snow-covered rocks, but I thought any movement was likely to catch his attention. He held a dish in each hand, and he balanced them carefully as he sat down at the mouth of the cave. Placing one dish by his side, he took out a utensil and began to eat the other. He didn’t say anything, just stared out into the falling snow.

When he finished, he returned to the cave, leaving the other dish where he had placed it. I didn’t know if it was a peace offering or bait, but I almost went back.

Almost, but I didn’t. I turned and worked my way through the rocks. The wind wasn’t blowing in my favor, so I heard the beastie before I smelled it. Something clicked and scrambled against the stone, and I looked back. The beastie clamored over the edge of the cliff like a monster from the abyss. Its wings appeared functional, but maybe the winds around the mountain were too strong for it to fly.

Expecting it to charge in my direction, I gathered myself to run, regardless of the hazards of slippery rocks. But instead, it flicked its tail and lumbered toward the cave. I paused, confused. It had never not chased me.

I took a deep breath as it approached the cave mouth, but the only magic I could smell was my own.

It wanted my magic.

The strongest source of my magic at the moment was the power I had drained from Dagr and converted to heal his wounds. Power he now carried. It was after him.

This time, I didn’t hesitate. I ran.

A wave of rotten hill air, hound, and woodsmoke hit me as I rounded the entrance to the cave.

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