Chapter 169

If you want to spend the extra money, little jewel, spend it on clarity.

My father was dead.

The world turned red. My blood armor locked into place and I slammed a fist into Avi's jaw, sending him crashing into the far wall.

One team scored and there was a roar of cheers from the front room. Rafael hurried to the doorway, standing guard.

"How did you resist his Charmer magic?" I advanced on Avi, but after three steps, my armor disappeared. I desperately tried to summon my magic but there was only empty space.

Avi pushed to his feet, his gun drawn.

Rafael shielded me, one arm thrown out to each side to keep me behind him. "Ash, he's a null."

The one possibility I hadn't considered because nulls were so rare. Then again, who was I to talk?

Avi waved Rafael over to the table, demanding we both keep our hands where he could see them. "I'm also a very good shot, so step back. Who are you?"