Wicked War of Mine (Overworld Chronicles Book 9) Page 24

  "We have to hold out twenty minutes," I told her.

  She went quiet for a moment. "What if we split the ASEs and sent them into the forest out of sight?"

  I snapped my fingers. "That might work. They'll think we plan to flank them and might entrench their current position."

  "Exactly." She murmured a command to someone. "I have my people on it. Let's pray this works."

  Clouds scudded overhead, gathering into ominous gray mountains in the sky. A bolt of lightning speared into the woods to the west. Thunder rumbled and a funnel cloud dove into the tree line north of the quarry.

  I looked through my spectacles. "It looks like someone over there is messing with the weather."

  "It would take several battle mages to change the weather," Mom said.

  Fjoeruss pointed toward a group of people standing at the front of the opposing force. "It would appear they already have Seraphim here."

  "They're so young," Mom said. "They must have been recently revived."

  I focused my spectacles on the group. A male and female Darkling channeled a funnel of air with Murk while several Brightlings charged the air with destructive energy. I noticed two battle mages prodding the Darklings with their wands. Judging from the distressed looks on the Darkling's faces, they were under painful duress. My jaw tightened. "They're forcing the Darklings to channel for them."

  Nightliss gasped. "We must do something to help them."

  "Impossible," Fjoeruss said. "Need I remind you that we're here as a diversion. A rescue attempt would be suicidal."

  "Don't you think I know that, Trickster?" Nightliss's voice seethed with such contempt, she almost sounded like her sister, Daelissa, for a second.

  Gray eyes void of emotion, Fjoeruss simply gave a curt nod. "Good."

  Sometimes the man made me think he was a soulless golem.

  A great wind rose from the north sending leaves, dirt, and debris into our faces. I turned my face from the cold gust and saw the last traces of our holographic army melting into the trees. Freezing rain bit into my exposed neck and scalp since I hadn't covered my head or face with the Nightingale armor. Lightning crashed all round and the air vibrated with the deep basso of thunder.

  "Fools," Fjoeruss said, his voice filled with contempt.

  I turned back and saw the enemy Brightlings fighting to push a two-story tornado toward us. Even with the air current blowing toward us from the north, the twister bucked and bent as if trying to go a way of its own choosing. The bulk of enemy forces were already retreating from the growing tempest. The cold air suddenly turned warm against my face as the Brightlings channeled more and more heat into their creation.

  Nightliss gripped my arm. "We cannot allow them to hurl that toward us." Pain filled her voice. "We must fight back even if we harm the Darklings."

  I didn't like the idea of harming the capture Darklings any more than she did, but she was right. We had no choice. I turned to Fjoeruss. "What's the best way to push back?"

  He narrowed his eyes as warm rain began to beat down on us in earnest. "We need to create a cold front to neutralize the temperature differential. That may disperse the tornado." Fjoeruss looked over the others. "I believe we might have a chance since there are more of us who can channel Murk."

  "Since I can't channel Murk, I'll bolster Justin," Mom said. She pressed a hand to my back, sending a chill of aether tingling up my spine.

  Fjoeruss looked at Nightliss, Joss, and Otaleon. "Imagine an arctic cold flowing from you and into the air. I will stabilize the current." He looked at me. "You will push the air with all your might."

  "Let's do it," I said.

  The three Darklings thrust out their hands. Aether suffused the air with an ultraviolet glow. Ice crystals formed and sparkled. The warm rain turned colder and colder until it was sleet. A moment later, small bits of hail pelted us. Drawing upon all my power, I willed the cold air to move and circulate. I pushed it north with a wave of Murk. Fjoeruss sent threads of gray flowing through the air current. It seemed to bind the airflow together into one cohesive force. The enemy's tornado howled south towards us. Our cold front hit it.

  The tornado shrank ever so slightly. The enemy Brightlings responded. Superheated currents of Brilliance lanced into the tornado, causing it to grow again. I added more energy into the wind powering our cold front. The enemy once again reinforced their efforts. The air erupted with a tremendous boom of thunder. Lightning struck the ground over and over in the open field between us and the opposing Seraphim.

  I had to close my eyes against the blinding light. The afterimages of jagged lightning bolts danced behind my eyelids. A tremendous rush of wind pulled at me and roared in my ears like a train on horse steroids. I peeked through slitted eyelids and saw a monstrous tornado fighting to break free.

  Like a rebellious teenager, our monstrous creation ripped from its bonds and began to lay waste everything around it. Since it was still in the field between us and Thunder Rock, it threw out dust, gravel, and dead plants in all directions. It grew from three to four stories tall and drifted north back towards the enemy.

  "Stop channeling," Fjoeruss said. "It's too late to stop it. You'll only feed it now."

  We released the channeled power. I lost sight of the enemy as debris filled the air. Brilliant veins of destruction threaded through the maelstrom, presumably as the opposing Brightlings tried to send it our way.

  Sweat dripped down my forehead despite the freezing cold. Mom's hand left my back and my knees turned to jelly. The storm gathered strength. Lightning sprang in all directions from the dark gray turbulence. I wearily pushed to my feet and looked at the others. Joss and Otaleon leaned on each other for support. Nightliss lay on the ground. Blood trickled from multiple cuts on her face. I felt warm liquid on my cheeks and touched one. A jagged bit of rock poked from the skin. In all the confusion, I'd forgotten to extend the armor facemask.

  I touched the collar so it would grow over my head and face, but nothing happened. All the channeling probably short-circuited the enchantment. Mom pulled Nightliss to her feet.

  "It's coming our way!" Mom cried over the roar of thunder and wind. Her blonde hair lashed about her face with a life of its own.

  Looking up at the monstrosity, I couldn't tell if it was actually moving toward us, or simply growing. "Retreat!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. "We've done what we needed to do."

  My group started moving toward the portals near the tree line a hundred yards behind us. I touched the communicator pendant at my collar. "Everyone move back. We're getting out of here." The communicator hissed with static. I listened but couldn't hear if anyone responded. "Damn it, I think our comms are down."

  "The others will know to fall back," Fjoeruss said in a maddeningly calm voice.

  I tried to see through the dark blanket of debris where Elyssa's squad should be but couldn't see a thing through it. I waved the others toward the portals. "Go! I'll catch up."

  My knees wobbled as I strode forward into the howling wind. I heard someone shouting behind me, but pressed on. Elyssa is out there. Dirt flew into my mouth. Wind-tossed shrapnel slammed me from every direction. The armor deflected most of it, but my unprotected head felt the sting of every tiny blow.

  An uprooted tree flew at me from the darkness. I fell to my knees as it bounced once, twice, and flew feet over my head. Drawing upon every ounce of strength left to me, I pushed forward. Something black flew at me. Before I could dodge, it slammed into me. I felt the earth sliding against my back. Weeds poked into my scalp.

  I'm going to go bald before this is over.

  Someone groaned. I looked up at a masked Templar.

  "Are you okay, sir?" a male voice asked.

  "I'm just peachy! Where's Elyssa?"

  "We were falling back but a gust of wind threw me." He pushed himself off me and pulled me to my feet. "The others should be right behind me."

  The din seemed to abate ever so slightly. Somewhere behind me, I heard howls. Please te
ll me the lycans are falling back. A group of dark figures staggered in from the dark. One of them gripped me in a tight hug.

  "Justin, why aren't you wearing a facemask?" Elyssa's voice was unmistakable.

  I almost cried with relief. "It's not working." I turned toward the south. "Let's go!"

  The wind lessened further. I turned and saw the deadly tornado ripping through the trees to the east. It seemed to pick up speed as it headed in the direction of Kobol prison. Before we took another step, a brilliant light evaporated the remaining haze. My butt cheeks clenched at what was revealed.

  The Seraphim army.

  Chapter 27

  "Run away!" I shouted. "Run for your freaking lives!" I took two steps and stumbled. Elyssa slung my arm over her shoulder and woman-handled me to my feet.

  I managed to time my steps with hers and we picked up speed.

  "Justin Slade!" screeched Daelissa. "Turn and face me, coward!"

  "Go away!" I yelled without looking back.

  A searing bolt of Brilliance the width of a finger plowed a small furrow in the ground inches to our right. Another slammed into the back of a Templar running to our left. The armor smoked. The man screamed as the white-hot beam exploded from his chest and sent his lifeless body tumbling.

  "I will annihilate you, Slade!" roared the insane voice of Qualan. "I will avenge my sister upon your burning corpse!"

  Scorching heat bit into my back. Elyssa jerked me from the path of the deadly beam. I saw a second attack from the corner of my eye. When Elyssa moved me to safety, she put herself directly in the line of fire. I smelled smoke. I tried to pull her away but everything happened too fast. She screamed.

  Time seemed to slow. I looked at Elyssa as destruction ripped from the front of her armor. Blood sprayed from her chest. We stumbled and fell. The ground rushed to meet us. Agony carved a hole in my heart. Rage and instinct took control. Without thinking, I loosed my demon half. My body burst with muscle. A taloned hand I barely recognized as my own caught the ground before we hit. The other hand scooped Elyssa into my arms.

  I felt heat building between my shoulders. My demon tail catapulted us away from the deadly strike as the heat became unbearable. I saw lycans, felycans, and Daemos racing across open ground ahead of us, the red demonic form of my father in the lead.

  One-by-one, they raced through the portals. My father saw us and veered our way. His flaming eyes went wide and he dove just behind me. I turned my head and saw twin beams of Brilliance intersect him. He roared with pain and slammed to earth.

  "Dad!" My voice emerged as a basso roar.

  Something big and purple streaked past. Kassallandra scooped my father's huge body from the ground like a sack of flour and dodged another searing attack. Less than fifty yards away I saw Daelissa on a flying carpet. Her blonde hair whipped around her face and her eyes glowed white. A maniacal smile spread across her face.

  "It is only a matter of time," she yelled. "You cannot escape me forever, boy!"

  Qualan flew a carpet beside her. His face was locked in a vicious scowl as he channeled pure death at us.

  I looked forward. The portal was so close. Ten steps. Five. Two. I passed through and into the La Casona control room.

  "Close the portals!" Kassallandra shouted.

  My legs could take no more. I slowed, stumbled. Another Daemos caught me before I fell.

  "Justin." Elyssa's voice was weak. Blood bubbled from her mouth. She gasped for air.

  "Someone help her!" I cried. "Help her!"

  Elyssa's hand touched my cheek. "Always…love…you." Her hand dropped and her body sagged in my arms.

  "Save her!" I roared. My voice echoed throughout the control room.

  "We're here." Two Templars with healer badges tried to take Elyssa's still form. "You have to let her go, sir."

  I tried, but my arms were like rigid steel bands.

  "Son," Mom said, coming into my view. Tears poured down her face. "You have to let her go."

  I forced my arms open. The healers whisked her away. Tears sizzled in my eyes. I felt my body shrinking back to normal. "Save her," I said in a tortured whisper. "Save her."

  Mom gasped. "David!"

  I looked and saw Kassallandra helping healers handle my father's manifested form even as it reverted to human. He was unconscious, but seemed to be breathing. Burn marks scored his chest where the armor was burned away. "He saved me," I said. "Elyssa saved me." A harsh breath shook my body. I didn't dare say the next thing that came to mind. They might die for me.

  Christian Salazar appeared at my side. He looked grim. "Your assault drew Daelissa where we wanted her, but she's already turned back towards the Ranch."

  "Is Thomas ready for her?" I asked.

  "As ready as anyone can be under the circumstances." He held out a hand.

  I took it and he pulled me to my feet. I had to lean against him to remain standing. "I have to feed. Do we have any human volunteers?"

  "Several." He raised an eyebrow. "Do you mean to feed your demon side or Seraphim?"

  I bared my teeth. "Both." My mind flashed back to Elyssa's still form. Grief tore through my stomach. I let it boil into rage.

  "Sir, I don't think—"

  "Do it," I said in a cold quiet voice. "Now. Please."

  He pursed his lips. "As you command." Commander Salazar helped me cross the control room. My legs ached with every step, but not as much as my heart. We walked through the main way station. Templars were everywhere, but the usual civilian population of travelers was almost non-existent. That was hardly surprising given the political situation in the Overworld.

  We entered the doors leading into the La Casona pocket dimension. In all the times I'd been to the way station, I'd never entered the actual town. It looked much like the city of Bogota. Cobblestone roads wound between brick houses with terracotta shingles. Christian took me into the first house on the left.

  Elyssa and I were supposed to go on a date here before— I pushed the thought from my mind.

  Christian spoke a few words to a Templar. The man nodded and vanished through a door. He returned a moment later with five people. Three were middle-aged women. The men, one tall and blond, the other short with a shaved head, appeared to be in their twenties.

  "What kind of super are you?" one of the women asked.

  "This must be one hungry dude," the tall man said with a slightly worried look.

  The short man simply smiled as if he didn't understand English.

  "This is Justin Slade," Christian said.

  Their eyes widened.

  "The Justin Slade?" the tall guy whistled. "What can we do for you?"

  I'd already latched my demonic essence into a short blonde woman. I was ravenous, but managed to keep my emotional energy level.

  "Just sit and relax for now," I said. It was impossible for me to relax, but I did my best to fake it. Within minutes, I felt my psythus—demon belly—cease its complaining. My skin itched where it began to heal from the cuts and bruises sustained during the tornado. I looked at the tall guy. "Just let me know if this becomes too much."

  He swallowed. "Sure." A nervous chuckle escaped. "I'm used to dhampyrs drinking my blood. I've heard you're part demon, part Seraphim."

  "That's right." I held out my left hand, palm facing down toward the tall guy. His hand rose of its own accord. Inky essence trickled from his fingers and into mine. I raised my right hand, causing his to do the same. Milky white poured from his fingers to mine.

  "Ooh, that's pretty," the short blonde said. "Does it hurt, Mitch?"

  The tall guy shook his head. "Nah, but it does make me feel a little fuzzy around the edges."

  "Bueno?" asked the short man.

  Mitch nodded. "Si, bueno."

  After a couple of minutes, the veins on Mitch's face began to stand out, so I motioned toward the short man and fed from him.

  "How's the fight going?" Mitch asked as he watched his short comrade's arms rise to meet mine.

 
"Not well," I said. It was difficult to keep a scowl off my face. "I'm going to face Daelissa which is why I need to feed right now."

  Mitch grimaced. "I hope you kick her ass."

  "Why is she so power hungry?" the blonde asked. "I'd give anything to have just a little bit of your power. It seems all she wants is more, more, more."

  "Ain't it just like a woman?" Mitch said with a smile on his face.

  The thin brunette to the blonde's right rolled her eyes. "She's more like a man than a woman. I think world domination would be boring. Just give me limitless access to all the shoes in the world and I'll be a happy girl."

  I finished feeding from the short man and moved to the buxom brunette next to him. "How did you end up volunteering?" I wasn't really interested, but it was less awkward making conversation while I consumed their soul essence.

  "I was attacked by a vampire and the Custodians brought me in for Overworld orientation a few years ago," Mitch said. "A day or so ago, they sent out word they needed volunteers for feeding. I had to attend another orientation about what kinds of supers would be involved." He chuckled. "Man, I thought vampires and werewolves were crazy. When I found out there were Seraphim, it blew my mind."

  The short man grinned and nodded. "Seraphim."

  The blonde touched her chest. "I was hoping for vampires myself, but you're pretty hot."

  I faked a smile. "Thanks. I moisturize."

  She giggled. "I was here on vacation when the vampires blew up a convoy of trucks right outside La Casona." Her eyes widened. "They told me some crazy vampire named Maximus was trying to kill the Templar leader."

  "I was here when that happened," I said. The memory wasn't a warm, fuzzy one, because I'd been imprisoned by Maximus during the ordeal and used as a blood slave.

  "Vampires got me into this mess, too," the thin brunette said.

  The buxom woman smiled. "It was an incubus for me." She sighed. "Best sex of my life."

  The blonde laughed. "TMI, Charlene."

  I repressed a grimace. "I appreciate you all volunteering for this."