This isn't funny. She was almost killed.' 'I'm aware. You're waiting to see if I will get angry.' 'I already know you're angry. You're sitting very still and you're talking very quietly. You're getting ready to kill someone.' 'I just need a name.
Derek LandyValkyrie patted Fletcherโs arm. โDonโt worry,โ she said. โIf the bad man comes, Iโll protect you.โ โIf the bad man comes,โ Fletcher responded, โIโll bravely give out a high-pitched scream to distract him. I may even bravely faint, to give him a false sense of security. That will be your signal to strike.โ โWe make a great team.โ โJust donโt forget to stand in front of me the whole time,โ he said.
Derek LandyAn untied shoelace can be dangerous,' he said. 'I could have tripped.' She stared at him. A moment dragged by. 'I'm joking,' he said at last. She relaxed. 'Really?' 'Absolutely. I would never have tripped. I'm far too graceful.
Derek LandyOther stories tell how I eat innocent newborns, how Iโm ten feet tall, how I breathe fire and have great dragon wings. None of these are wholly accurate. I donโt have dragon wings, I donโt breathe fire, Iโm only eight feet tall and Iโve never eaten a newborn that didnโt have it coming. My name is Mevolent. Whatโs yours?
Derek Landy