Storm Blood: A Montague & Strong Detective Novel (Montague & Strong Case Files Book 15) by Orlando A. Sanchez

Author:Orlando A. Sanchez [Sanchez, Orlando A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bitten Peaches Publishing
Published: 2022-02-25T16:00:00+00:00

NINETEEN

“Are trees supposed to do that?” I said as I noticed some of the trees closing on us. “This isn’t some side effect from Dex’s circle? You’re seeing the moving trees, too, Right?”

“Trees aren’t usually ambulatory, no,” Monty said matter-of-factly, while remaining still. He raised his hand and formed a blinding white orb in his extended palm. “Whatever you do, do not harm the trees.”

“Are you referring to the menacing trees that are coming our way? Those trees?”

“Yes,” he said and turned to the moving trees. “This is an orb of runic flame.” He lowered his hand slowly. “If you attack either of us, this orb will find its way into that part of the forest.”

Monty pointed to the dense growth of trees to our right.

“If you unleash that orb,” a female voice said, “neither of you will live long enough to take your next breath.”

“Monty,” I said, keeping my voice low. “I’m really fond of breathing.”

“As am I,” he answered in the same tone. “But we’ve slowed their advance. It seems we have Witch Josephine’s attention.”

He was right.

The trees had stopped moving.

“This may not be the kind of attention we were looking for,” I said. “This is the kind of attention that gets us blasted into atoms.”

“We mean you or your land no offense,” Monty said, ignoring me. “I am—”

“I know who you are,” the voice said, interrupting Monty. “Your words are meaningless while you hold destruction in your hand. Douse the flame, and I may allow you to leave here with your life.”

“This would be a good time to douse the flame,” I said. “She sounds pissed.”

Monty reabsorbed the orb.

The forest grew still as if holding its breath. I hadn’t noticed it before. There were no sounds of animals scurrying in the underbrush. I didn’t hear one bird singing in the distance. It was probably because they didn’t know any elegies.

All we got was silence.

It was the kind of silence that filled you with dread.

“Well, this doesn’t look good,” I said. “Maybe opening with an orb of flame was a bad call?”

“Trees don’t like fire,” Monty said. “It’s not like I was actually going to set the New Forest aflame.”

“Holding a loaded orb and demanding an audience seems a little pushy, I think,” I said, looking around for the rangers. “The verd—rangers are gone too.”

“They’re not gone,” Monty said. “They’re hiding. Waiting for orders from her.”

“This would be a good place to use that famous diplomacy of yours,” I said. “The one that doesn’t get us killed.”

“The method may have been heavy-handed, but we have the desired result,” he said with a look around. “We have her attention.”

“I’m just pointing out that the approach could’ve been a bit smoother,” I said. “Super powerful witch who’s touchy about her forest, and you open with, ‘Come any closer and I’ll burn it down?’ And you wonder why people talk about the Montagues’ destructive tendencies?”

A woman stepped out from behind one of the trees.

My first impression was—power.

She was dressed like an average person.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.