Page 123 of Destined to Fight

Kelly’s ice cream fell to the floor as she jumped up, and the half-melted decadence went everywhere. She cursed inwardly; it would be hell to clean up later. “I don’t remember signing up for this. I need to get my karambits.”

Fabian held out his hand. “I brought them with me. We need to move now.”

She took the blades and belt from him as she left the room. They all hurried downstairs to find the entire group waiting for them, guards included.

Fabian addressed them all from a few steps up. “We have prepared for a situation similar to this, and the mission remains the same. Protect the timekeeper. She cannot leave the premises due to the threat of attack, so we must hold them back at all costs.

“For those of you who have not fought the dead before, they are nearly impossible to eliminate. Fire works, but it is too risky in this situation. Dismantling the body will not stop them—anything left intact will continue to function including heads, arms, and legs. They are relentless, they feel no pain, and they are fast. Kelly, time will not control them because souls are not bound by it, so don’t bother with that. Questions?”

Heads shook all around the room.

Kelly guessed there were at least forty people packed into the house.

A woman toward the back raised her hand. “I’m a fire mage. I can control it well enough that it won’t make a scene. If you all can get them to me, I can burn them from the inside out. If there’s a water mage around, they can put any lingering fires out after I’m done.”

A man close to the front spoke up then. “I’m a water warlock. I can help.”

“All right, everyone disable them as much as you can and bring them to…what was your name?”

“Zaara.”

Fabian nodded. “Bring them to Zaara.” He pointed to the water warlock. “You go with her and put out any fires. The two of you should stay in the center of everyone, so you can stay protected.”

The two nodded.

“To your posts, then. Rules of engagement have already been broken. You are free to use your powers.”

Fabian turned to them while everyone dispersed. The hired guards went outside while their group stayed inside near doors and windows. “We will remain here for now.”

“Seriously? We’re just going to stand here and chill while everyone else fights for their lives out there?”

“Yes. My job is to protect you. Kade refuses to leave your side, and you must not put yourself in harm’s way.”

“You know, it would have been nice if you included me in some of this planning. I’m not some delicate flower that needs sunshine blown up her ass. I refuse to be the woman who everyone fought for while she sat on the sidelines. If they’re fighting for me, I’m fighting with them.”

“Warrior, I cannot fully protect you out there. This is not a beginner’s battle, and you cannot leave the premises because the ward provides protection here. At least the dead will be the only thing we fight within it. Nothing else can get through.”

“Well, it’s a good thing I’ve had some run-ins to get my feet wet, then. I’m fighting, Fabian. Don’t try to stop me.”

Kade thought through a string of curses, some of which she didn’t understand because they were in Gaelic.

You just told me that people like us were feared by the strongest Arcane. We can do this together, Kade. We can win this fight.

He sighed and gave in.

Kelly thought out loud to the group. “There has to be a better way of beating these things than just cutting limbs or heads off and lighting them on fire.”

Fabian shook his head. “That is why necromancers are so feared. Nothing compares to the power of the dead.”

Kelly racked her brain for something, anything that could help. “Can earth mages blast them with rocks or stones and disintegrate them?”

“A powerful one might, but it wouldnae work with so many.”

The sounds of battle came from outside. They had to figure out something, and soon.

“Why is fire too dangerous? We really should just blast them all with it. The other guy out there can help me put it out after it’s all said and done.”

“They will not stop after they catch fire. It is likely they would ignite the entire neighborhood.”

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