9
I ran to Harriet’s side as she bled into the snow.
“What happened to you?” I asked.
Harriet, a consummate stoic, kept her composure.
“Bad fight,” she said.
I looked at her wound. The knife had barely missed her organs, and it didn't go through all the way; part of the blade was sticking out.
“Damn,” I said. “This isn't good.”
Darius ran to her.
“This is a hell of a way to meet,” he said.
Destiny and Niecy stood in the snow, watching quietly with concerned faces.
“The blade isn't charmed, is it?” Darius asked.
Harriet cupped her side gingerly.
“Not from what I can tell,” she said. “Hit me with a cooling spell, Darius. I'll rip it out myself.”
Darius looked at me.
“Do it!” Harriet barked.
Darius’s hands glowed and he spread them over Harriet. Her blood froze, and her skin cr
