Corrigan Rage Read Online Free

realise who I was so I switched tactics and made a show of being noisier, thumping my way back to the little reception area. Perhaps it would help her to feel less threatened. Surprising her might not have been such a good idea after all.
    By the time I reached the corner, all was silent. I paused. It was very possible she was going to leap out and attempt to slit my throat. I took a deep breath, her familiar scent swirling round me. It was still odd – not quite human or shifter or mage – but it was all Mack. As far as I could tell, she had pressed herself against the other side of the wall. I didn’t know how good her own sense of smell was but when I heard her breathe in deeply and then hiss and curse, slamming her hand against the plaster, I knew she’d finally worked out it was me.
    Mack sprung out, facing me with her features tight and her hackles raised. Her yellow flecked eyes were spitting fire. For some reason she was clutching a pen in one hand, thrusting it out towards me like it was some kind of weapon. Despite her obvious anger, her bald head with just the faintest covering of soft red stubble made her look vulnerable and scared rather than dangerous. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t help myself.
    ‘Hello, kitten,’ I smiled.
    Mack’s reaction was predictable. She launched her free hand out towards me, pushing it into my chest as if to shove me away. I’d been expecting something of the sort, however, and managed – just – to hold my ground. ‘What the fuck are you doing here?’ she spat.
    I needed to defuse the situation. ‘Why are you being so aggressive?’ I asked. ‘I thought we were friends now.’
    ‘We were never friends,’ she said, tossing her head. She was actually right about that. I had enough friends. For some unfathomable reason I still wanted more than that from her. She jabbed the pen in my direction. ‘Now tell me just what exactly you’re doing here.’
    I took a step forward and grabbed her wrist, forcing her to drop the pen. ‘Are you going to ink me to death?’ It was a feeble attempt at a joke that didn’t go down well.
    ‘Get your hands off me!’ Her voice was high and strained.
    I should probably have let her go to help calm her down. Instead I tightened my grip fractionally. She could probably break away from my hold if she really wanted to but, satisfyingly, I felt her defences start to drop. Her expression softened and I was beginning to think we could have a normal conversation when she abruptly changed her mind and pulled away.
    I looked at her for a long moment. Knowing what I did now, her previous wariness around me made a sort of sense. But she was fully aware that no-one still thought she was a shifter. ‘What’s going on?’ I asked gently, trying to bring her fleeting look of softness back. ‘I thought we parted on good terms.’
    She glanced down although not before I registered hurt on her face. ‘You told the mages all about me! About what happened in Cornwall and the fact that I wasn’t strong enough to beat Iabartu.’
    I leaned back. She thought I’d been telling tales about her. Except all I’d done was make sure the Arch-Mage was fully aware of her worth. ‘No, I told the mages that you were stronger than virtually any shifter I’d ever come across, and that you did well by almost besting a demi-goddess.’ I was completely honest. ‘I wanted them to appreciate your strength. By knowing more about you, I figured they could help train you to be even stronger than you already are.’
    If I’d thought my words would appease her, I was sadly mistaken. ‘Do you have any idea how patronising that sounds?’ There was a sudden scorching heat rising from her pale skin. ‘And besides, I know it’s bullshit. You’re just pissed off that I decided to go with them instead of stay with you. Well, guess what, buster?’ Her eyes challenged me. ‘I’m having a great time! It turns out I am pretty good at all this mage stuff. I don’t need you