twice cursed mage 05 - claimed Read Online Free PDF Page A

around her hips, and plunked the tin back into her purse. “Either way, it’s bad for business.”
    “And you expect me to fight off an army by myself?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “What about Danton and the werewolves?”
    “Ramon said he told you Ricky is trapped in a gauntlet.” She shook her head. “Danton took off right before the attack. One moment he was standing there being a cheeky motherfucker, the next he cocks his head to the sky, and I just know Gabriel is whispering sweet nothings in his ear. A horrible look crossed his face, and he fucking ninja vanished.” She shook her head. “He actually said ‘ninja vanish’ and threw down a smoke bomb.”
    “He just left?” I asked, unable to believe the guy would leave without his wife and kid. “I know he’s a huge D-bag, but he seemed stand up in his own sort of way.”
    “He’s not, Mac. Everyone who gets involved with him gets royally fucked over,” Maya replied, letting out a slow breath. “However, I think he called in a favor because not only are Sera and John gone, but…” she paused and looked down at her feet in a way that made me think she didn’t want to say anything. Instead, she held a postcard out to me. “Here.”
    “Um, okay,” I replied, taking the postcard. It was from Anchorage, Alaska. I flipped it over and read the note scribbled on it.
    Hey, Mac, so long and thanks for all the fish. By the by, when you get it all sorted out with your ex, give me a ring. I’ll keep your sister and her brat safe until then. Hugs and Kisses! Danton.
    I blinked and read the note several times, and even after that I still couldn’t believe it.
    “He took my family?” I asked, confusion filling my voice. Sure, it seemed like he’d done it to keep them out of harm’s way, which was good, but at the same time, I’d fought through so much to get them back, and now I still couldn’t see them? It was capital-L-Lame. It was probably better this way, but I was going to deck him, anyway. Besides, he was a demon hunter. Shouldn’t he and his angels have stepped in?
    “Yeah…” Maya said, and I realized she was standing out of arm’s reach almost like she was afraid I’d have lashed out at her. I wouldn’t have. I wasn’t really a shoot the messenger type when the messenger was someone I sort of liked.
    “Can he keep them safe?” I asked, watching her face for movement.
    “Huh?” Maya replied, her cheeks flushing slightly. “You aren’t mad?”
    “I’m mad at the situation, not at him.” I let out a slow breath. “Danton’s an odd duck to be sure, but I believe he can keep them safe. Truth be told, I was worried Jenna might have gone after them. It’s a relief to know that’s not the case.” I shrugged. “It will help me focus on the task at hand, knowing they are safe.”
    “That’s good to hear, Mac,” Ramon said from a few feet away. I hadn’t even known he was there. It was a little creepy because I was usually pretty good at noticing when people snuck up on me.
    I turned to look at him, and as I did, my mouth fell open in shock. His face looked like it’d been melted into a hard mass of scar tissue so he sort of resembled the toxic avenger. The tank top and grimy pink tutu didn’t help matters either.
    “Does my appearance displease you?” he asked, raising one malformed eyebrow before gesturing at himself with his mop.
    “We were just leaving,” Maya said before I could even shut my mouth. She reached out, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward another tunnel entrance. “Thank you for all your help, Ramon.”
    “Don’t mention it, Maya,” Ramon replied as we disappeared into a darkened alcove. “Now, we’re even.”
    “Say thank you,” Maya hissed, and one glance at her angry face made me comply.
    “Thanks,” I called back over my shoulder, and as I did, the shadows around us seemed to recede a touch. I hadn’t even noticed how dark they’d seemed until they’d faded away into nothingness.
    “I