Page 80 of Reap & Sow

“Oh? I do.” Ben grabbed the discarded sword propped against the cabin.

“Ben!”

He shoved her back. Pointed the sword at Kit in challenge. “She’ll get her years back if I cut your filthy head off.”

“No. Eda must be the one to do it.” With a ripple like a mirage in the desert, Kit’s true face emerged—ashen skin, broken horn, swaying tail. His injured arm did nothing to diminish his domineering presence. “But by all means, try your best.”

Ben lunged with a roar.

“Stop it!”

Kit dodged. Ben followed, his face wild with hatred.

Robin ducked behind the cabin door. “Take this pissing contest off my boat! Now!”

Ben swung, too blinded by anger to be skillful but hard enough to force a retreat. The demon was merely playing with him. Weak and injured though he was, if Kit actually wanted to hurt Ben, he need only decide on it.

Her point was proven when Ben brought the sword up in a two-handed swing, leaving himself exposed. Kit neatly sidestepped the blow. He snatched Ben by the throat. With his other hand he grabbed Ben’s sword arm and twisted, hard enough to make him cry out. The weapon clattered to the ground.

“You squander your sister’s efforts by tempting fate, boy,” Kit snarled. His claws picked Ben’s neck, blood beading like rubies. “I could gut you like swine for your disrespect.”

Eda grabbed Kit’s arm and tugged furiously, for all the good it did. He was immovable as stone. “Get off him. Kit! Let him go right now.”

He did not look at her. After a tense moment, his grip loosened.

Ben fell back. He rubbed his bloodied neck with a black glare.

Eda stood between them. “Don’t you dare,” she warned the demon.

“He could do with some sense beaten into him.”

“Then you’ll have to beat me first.”

Kit’s eyes flashed. With a swirl of black vapor, he transformed into a bird. He deliberately swooped around Ben’s head, clipping his ear before streaking toward the forest.

Eda sighed. “Go back inside, Ben. I’ll be in shortly.”

“Bastard…Is he gone? For good?”

“No. I’m sure he’s nearby.”

“I won’t leave you alone while he’s still lurking about.”

“Kit won’t hurt me.”

“Because of the Pact?”

“Partly. But I think he likes me well enough to refrain from gutting me, regardless.”

The joke fell flat. Ben might have argued further, but Robin touched his arm. “Come in, lad. Your brother asks after you. I’ll brew more tea.”

He seemed conflicted, but finally allowed himself to be pulled inside. The minute the door closed behind them, Eda hopped off the Oriana and made for the trees, towering and dark beyond the firelight.

I’m not done with you yet, Lord Arsehole.

Twenty-two

The bonfires were lit again, but the riverfolk seemed more sedate tonight. Many had already retired to their boats. Those still awake greeted Eda as she strode by.