liability release paper in one hand and a half-empty beer can in the other. He

n the wooden steps, his belly sh

e didn't turn fully,

nted, stopping ten feet away. He waved the pa

g. It was almost impressive

u?" Serap

o perform authority. "You got a stash. I know you do. You made tips at that diner. Three hundre

ulled out a roll of bills. It was exactly three hundr

was greasy. It smelled of

thre

air between them. The bills fluttered, caught by

ing onto the dirt, and dove for the money. He was on h

e porch. "Richard! Get

er. He was twenty-five, with thinning hair and eyes that were always bloods

eps, cracking his knuckles. He had a deb

d. He walked toward Seraphina, ignor

shadow clinging to his back. A gambler's dem

," she

e swung his hand, aiming for her shoulder,

ve. She didn't flin

depression in the muddy ground-a twist of fate she had seen com

e her, his wrist twisting awkwardly as h

his hand, staggering back.

h you," Seraph

dirt, clutching a fistful o

her intent, a sharp spike of will. Static electricity

er as a spark jumped from his fing

ust fear and static. But to a

it resonated in the sudden silence. "The debt is paid. The co

hake the ground. Pebbles d

ted barking franticall

hielded her eyes, lookin

on. Five black dots were growing

collector," Ser