Free Ink Magic (Ink Sorceress Chronicles) by Erika Gilbert Page A

end of it I was ready to sleep for about a year. But I somehow managed to get myself upright before swinging my legs around and getting out of the car. I swayed, toppling to the side before righting myself.
    “ Go on then, kill me! If you have the guts,” I heard Nick say.
    I staggered toward the sound of his voice. They were in the clearing by the roadside where the Ink Sorcerer attacked me. Daniel held his sword to Nick’s throat. Nick leaned into the blade, daring him to go through with it.
    “ I told you to stay away from Lucy.”
    “ Why should I? She’s a free agent as far as I know. Or are the two of you an item?”
    I couldn’t help holding my breath. This was it. Daniel’s chance to say he actually had feelings for me.
    But the words didn’t come.
    “ I didn’t think so.”
    “ You don’t want her either. You’re only interested in the chase. Once you’ve got what you wanted, you’ll leave her. You enjoy leading girls along.”
    The words stung. I hated hearing Daniel basically admit he didn’t want me.
    “ I’ve never had any complaints before.”
    Daniel grinned, poking Nick in the neck with his sword. “I know someone who would disagree. A friend of mine.”
    “ That little brunette you’ve been hanging around with. I thought she was familiar.”
    “ She’s another girl you tricked into sleeping with you because you claimed to love her.”
    “ Taking my leftovers doesn’t make you a better man. If I broke her heart what does catching her on the rebound make you? I’d say you’re taking advantage.”
    Daniel laughed. I’d never heard laughter sound so devoid of humor. “I know this is a concept that’s beyond your comprehension, but Michelle is a friend. I’m consoling her for that reason alone, not because I have so ulterior romantic motive. She’s so broken-hearted she’s been talking about suicide. I won’t let you do that to Lucy.”
    I wasn’t about to let that happen to me either. Nick sounded like a rat and, considering I didn’t plan on sleeping with him any time this century, I doubted he’d continue to want me anyway.
    “ Daniel,” I said, weakly, hobbling toward them. I thought I spotted movement in the bushes behind him.
    The movement came from the place where the Ink Sorcerer had been.
    Suddenly Daniel’s sword disappeared. He stared at his empty hand.
    “ Daniel! Look out!” I shouted.
    I screamed. Daniel looked down at his stomach. In the dim street light I saw blood blossom from a wound in his stomach. A red line sliced down and across. The Ink Sorcerer had taken Daniel’s sword and stabbed him with it.
    “ Daniel!” I hopped toward him, reaching his side as he fell.
    Nick looked around for the source of Daniel’s wounds. “Screw this,” he said and took off toward his car. Moments later he peeled off down the road.
    “ Daniel,” I said, holding his head in my hands.
    Finally my tattoo sparked to life, shooting down my arm, reaching out for his skin.
    His eyes widened in fear. “No, don’t”
    “ I can heal you, Daniel. I won’t hurt you.”
    He shook his head vigorously. “No, please. I don’t want you too.” He stared at my tattoo snaking up his arm.
    He pushed me away from him.
    “ I can’t let you die!” If only he weren’t so stubborn.
    “ It’s too late.” He fell back on the ground and didn’t move again.
    I couldn’t believe he would rather die than let me heal him. I wouldn’t let him die. Whether he wanted me to or not, I’d heal him. I knew what it would mean. He’d never talk to me again. But at least he’d be alive.
    My tattoo snaked down my leg. I willed it toward my wound and instantly felt the skin begin to close.
    My cell phone rang and I ignored it.
    “ Why don’t you answer your phone?” Markus Bint’s voice sounded behind me.
    I spun to face him. Smiling as power surged through me. Fangs erupted from my gums, the sharp pain felt wonderful.
    My vampire powers gave me an edge. I couldn’t see him, but I