Free New Dawn (Divine War Book 1) by Magus Tor Page B

more than enough proof that you're Captain Seagull. A ridiculous name to choose; has anyone ever told you that?” the officer jeered. “And we've got more than enough to put you and your merry little band of, what did you call them? Ah, yes, the Sunshine Raiders—yet another foolish name... To put the whole lot of you away for a very long time. If you're lucky enough not to have your pretty little head lopped off, that is.”
    Lucia's hand was closer than ever to the dagger on her hip, and Kabi brought himself up onto the balls of his feet, ready to move.
    “So, you can either come with me quietly,” the officer continued, “or...”
    At this, the two guards un-holstered their bolt blasters in one synchronised movement. Kabi sighed and stepped out from the shadows.
    “Come, come,” he said calmly. “Violence will not be necessary, Lieutenant. We are all law-abiding citizens here.”
    The officer spat on the floor. “Law abiding, my eye. This one of your pirate crew?”
    Lucia took a deep breath and, still soothing, said: “I have no idea of what you're speaking about. I'm a singer in a bar, as anyone around here will tell you. This captain that you're looking for...”
    “Enough,” the officer interrupted her. “You can either come with me, or you can taste the bolt. And that goes for your little gigolo too. Take him.” He motioned for one of the guards to grab Kabi.
    The guard trained his weapon on Kabi, taking a step towards him.
    Kabi half-closed his eyes, searching his mind for the sharp place of intense focus that he knew was there. Finding it, he sank himself deep into it, feeling the power thrumming along his veins. Only once he was sure that he was in the place did he open his eyes and speak.
    “I'm certainly not a gigolo,” he said placidly. “And I don't appreciate being insulted.”
    Reaching out, he put a hand onto the guard's outstretched weapon, letting the power run through him as the bolt blaster morphed into sand, trickling down to form a small pile at the feet of the stunned guard. Without waiting to see what the effect of this on the guard would be, Kabi drew back his hand, forming it into a fist, pulling back and pushing both his hand and the power hard into the guard's stomach.
    For a brief slice of a second, the guard still stood, spikes of crystal formed by the power protruding from his back and making him porcupine-like, before he shuddered and collapsed, dead. There was only the sound of blood dripping on marble for a moment, and then Kabi turned towards the other guard, who was breaking out of his shocked trance and raising his weapon.
    Even as Kabi walked towards him, the guard fired. But the magical man simply lifted a hand, palm facing the oncoming bolt, and let it hit him, the power deflecting the shot to dissipate without even a sizzle. With a hint of irritation, Kabi flicked his finger up, releasing a sharp shard of crystal that flew directly at the guard. It hit him squarely between the eyes, killing him instantly.
    This was too much for the lieutenant, who turned to flee, not understanding what the hell was happening, but not wanting to wait around to find out. But before his shaking, terrified legs could take more than a step, Lucia's hand moved casually and a dagger spun through the air, hitting the lieutenant at the base of the spine with a very satisfying thunk. He died before he even realised that he'd been hit.
    Kabi nodded, impressed at the woman's skills. Not bad at all, he thought. He turned to see Lucia watching him speculatively.
    “You know,” she drawled, “I do so like it when unbelievable rumours turn out to be true.”
    Kabi bowed in acknowledgement. “All rumours must have some basis in truth,” he said. “Or they wouldn't start in the first place.”
    Lucia thought about this for a moment and nodded. “Well, it appears that the rumours about you weren't even close to being unbelievable enough. You are far more powerful than I could have imagined.”