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“Thank you.” I clapped my hands together, and the sparks went out.

“What’s put you in such a mood?” he asked.

“You.”

“Yes, I do have that effect on girls.” He winked at me.

“Actually, I’m annoyed with you because you told the Dark Force about the rings. And where to find them.”

“Hey, calm down.” He lifted his hands in the air. “I only did it because Damon told his parents. The gods sent soldiers to search for the rings. The demons deserved the same chance. Got to preserve the balance of power, right?”

I shook my head in disbelief. “Troy Fireswift, master politician.”

“Yes, I am, aren’t I?”

“Let’s just be honest for a minute, Troy. You did it because you wanted to stir up some excitement. You did it because you were bored, didn’t you?”

He fluttered his eyelashes at me.

“Didn’t you?” I repeated, sinking more steel into my voice this time.

“Yes,” he admitted. “I was so freaking bored. I amstillbored, by the way. Let’s go on an adventure!”

“Sorry.” I opened the textbook on my desk. “I have to do homework.”

“You don’t want to do homework, Sierra,” he said silkily. “You want to have fun.”

I looked at the book, then at him. “Your idea of fun always ends in trouble.”

“Begins and ends,” he agreed, grinning. “That’s what makes it fun. So, what do you say? Want to join me for an adventure?”

“What do you have in mind?”

“Let’s show our parents that two teenagers can succeed where the armies of heaven and hell failed. Let’s find those rings.”

“I don’t think that’s a very good idea.”

“Nonsense!” he cooed. “It’s a spectacular idea. Unless you’re afraid?”

“Of course not.”

A mischievous smile twisted his lips.

“Ok, fine. I’ll come on this adventure of yours.” I shut the book. “You just try to keep up.”

CHAPTER 8

THE ORIGINAL SUPERNATURALS

It was just so easy. Defeating the original supernatural beasts wasn’t even a challenge. Of course it wasn’t. I mean, come on, I’d taken out the first one when I was only twelve. Single-handedly. Now I had four years more of experience, and Troy Fireswift by my side.

“As far as sidekicks go, you’re not half-bad,” I told him as the vampire beast fell dead to the ground with a thunderous roar that shook the treasure chamber.

He snorted. “Who saysIam the sidekick?”

“I do. But only because I’m generous.” I allowed a smirk to slowly curl my lips.

Troy mirrored my expression, though his smile showed a bit more teeth. “Cute.”