Free Helpless (Blue Fire Saga) by Scott Prussing Page B

danger. Nothing existed save Rave and her—and the anticipation of their kiss.
    She kept her eyes open until the last moment as his face drew nearer, closing them a split second before his lips met hers. As soon as their lips touched, the familiar warmth shot through her body, filling her to her core with a kaleidoscope of feelings far beyond description. She was flying, falling, spinning, tumbling, twirling, floating. Her knees felt weak; at the same time, she felt stronger than she had ever been. She wanted to scream, to laugh, to cry, to sing. The sensations seemed to go on forever, but all too soon she felt Dominic’s hands upon her shoulders, easing her backward, away from Rave. She sighed deeply and opened her eyes. How something could seem to last forever and yet be much too brief was still beyond her comprehension, but it was like this every time they kissed.
     Rave was gazing lovingly at her, a big smile on his face.
    “Double wow,” he said.
    Leesa grinned. “See? I knew you liked it as much as I do.”
    “Yeah, I do,” Rave said.
    Leesa turned to Dominic and Balin. “Would you two mind terribly much if we did it one more time?” she asked, a big smile on her face.
    Dominic looked at Balin, who nodded.
    “I guess we could manage it,” the volkaane said.
    Suddenly, Dominic stiffened. His brow grew furrowed and Leesa could see the muscles in his jaw quivering. Something had clearly upset the wizard greatly. She glanced at Rave and Balin, but neither seemed alarmed by anything.
    “What is it?” she asked Dominic.
    “Magic,” Dominic said, his voice so low it was almost a whisper. “Black magic. Killing magic.”
    Rave immediately flashed to the door, while Balin moved protectively in front of Leesa.
    “Where?” Rave asked. “How close?”
    Dominic gave his head a quick shake, as if clearing cobwebs from his brain.
    “I’m sorry,” he said. “I did not mean to alarm everyone. It was not anywhere near. Several hundred miles from here, I think. To the north” He looked from Rave to Balin to Leesa. “I apologize,” he said again. “I was surprised. It’s been many years since I sensed anything like this.”
    “What does it mean?” Leesa asked.
    “It means that one of my enemies is here in America. His name is Josef. I recognize his vibrations.”
    “Do you think this Josef knows where you are?” Balin asked.
    Dominic shook his head. “I do not see how. I have not used any active magic in many, many years, and never in this part of your country. Still, there are only four of the renegades. It makes sense that one would be searching the Americas. But to know he is within a few hundred miles is disconcerting.”
    “Could he somehow have sensed Leesa’s magic?” Rave asked worriedly. He moved to Leesa’s side and put his arm around her shoulders. “Perhaps when she hurled Edwina with her thoughts?”
    “I doubt it. Though that outburst was the thing that brought me to Middletown, I was only ten miles away when it happened, and I am far more in tune with Leesa vibrations than any of our foes could be. I think if Josef had somehow managed to detect it, he would be much closer than a few hundred miles by now. Indeed, he would be here.”
    Dominic’s face tightened again and his eyes momentarily took on a distant stare.
    “He’s done it again,” he said after a moment. “Another killing strike.”
    “Maybe he’s being attacked,” Leesa said hopefully.
    Dominic allowed himself a grim smile. “We can only hope, though I don’t know what foe could manage to defeat him, unless their numbers were great enough to overwhelm him. But no, I do not think he is under attack. The blasts were too far apart. I think it more likely Josef is just ridding himself of some obstacles. Or perhaps driving home a point.”
    “From what you say, this would be some way to make a point,” Rave said.
    “Intimidation is one of the quickest and most persuasive forms of argument. Plus, the black waziri enjoy