Demons and Druids - James Patterson

The Wizard of Oz. "You know," said Beta conversationally (if there's such a thing as a conversation with a fire bigger than a building), Tm glad my flame weavers weren't able to wipe you out sooner. You know that saying? Play with fire? Now we're going to get to play in so many interesting ways."

Suddenly he leaned over—but not over me. Over Dana.

The force of his fire blew her hair back from her face.

Especially with Beta's spotlight shining on her, she looked i ncredibly beautiful. Even though Dana couldn't help shrinking back from the intense heat, her expression was defiant.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," she said.

"What was that?" Beta's flames lowered till they were just brushing the tops of the standing stones at the edge of the monument.

He didn't know that Dana was right, because Beta didn't know me. Messing with Earth is a good way to get on my bad side. But messing with Dana—that was the last straw.

I jumped in front of her, my arms folded. "Stand back," I whispered. "Get behind me. Please don't argue."

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Fighting fire with fire," I said.

It was the only thing I could think of that might work, and something I'd never tried before. I concentrated hard, really hard. This was going to be interesting, to say the least.