"Do you think I'm a fool?" he muttered savagely. It was to himself as well as to Firebird.
"You are a fool!" Firebird hissed in anger. "I came to you peacefully."
From across the chamber a ball of fire the size of an orange spurted with the speed of lightning. It splattered the wall two feet from Nathan. The heat of its explosion singed his cape to a shred. His face was scorched and his eyes blinded temporarily.
Nathan aimed again and unleashed a blast of his own, but it went wide for he did not even glimpse Firebird in its glow. He leaped away to hiding behind a large stalagmite.
"Listen to me!" the voice of Firebird commanded again. "I could have killed you then. My shot landed two feet to the left of you. Now will you hear what I have to say?"
"It's easy to call your shots after they are fired."
"Here's one neither to the right or left," said Firebird evenly.
Before she finished speaking a blast of flame burst over the huge stalagmite in front of Nathan. The fire of it flowed around the sides and enveloped him in a searing blanket.
For the first time, Nathan knew fear. The witch could see in the dark! He was at her mercy.
Her voice spoke more softly now. "Are you coming out from behind there or do I have to come and get you?"