Page 353 of Heat of the Everflame

Both sides launched into movement. I sent a burst of light pummeling into the mortals, then watched in horror as my magic ricocheted harmlessly away. I’d never faced a shield I couldn’t easily pierce through—but I’d never faced a Descended like Ophiucae.

Though the mortals’ shield held, the sheer power of my blast pushed them backward, buying us crucial time. Two Sophosguards cut off to usher the teens back to safety, and I raised a wall of shadow to ward off any pursuit.

My pent-up breath stuck in my throat at the sight of more locals spilling out of buildings to investigate the noise. On a normal day, this realm rewarded curiosity. Today, it might get them all killed.

“Run!” I shouted.

“Kill them!” Vance commanded.

As if I’d taken a club to a hornets’ nest, the mortal invaders scattered with furious intent, some taking us on directly while others disappeared into buildings or down connecting roads. My chest swelled with pride as the Sophos guards set aside their fear and stormed boldly into the fight.

I lost sight of Vance as two mortals barreled down on me. With a quick glance to make sure no one was watching, I called on my Arboros magic. Roots snarled through cracks in the paved road and wound in a tangled web at their feet, sending them stumbling to their knees. I let the knotty cords grow deeper and taller into the street, forcing the mortals to turn their blades downward to hack their way out.

My godhood paced hungrily inside me, awoke by the thrill of the battle.

Fight, itsvoiceurged me on.

I happily obliged, calling on my magic to put more obstacles in their way. A tide of water to wash them back, a carpet of ice to send them sliding, a gauntlet of stone to make them climb.

It worked, but only so well. Each time, a few more escaped my reach, and as the Sophos guards advanced, it became impossible to avoid striking them, too.

Worse, some had turned their interest on me and the magic in the street none of us were supposed to have. I did my best to mask my attacks with flashes of light or shadowy shrouds, but in Sophos, even their soldiers were uncannily shrewd.

Up in the sky, Doriel was having little success. Vexes, the Sophos gryvern, was plump and petite, accustomed to a life of spoiled leisure. The fright quivering down its spine practically vibrated in the air. Not just the terror of battle—an old fear, arememberedfear, of a history from long ago.

My hands rose high as I channeled the Faunos magic and poured a pulse of bravery into its spirit.

“Diem,duck!” Luther yelled from behind me.

I obeyed without hesitation as a glittering midnight blade went slicing through the air where my throat had just been.

I fell back, heart hammering, and gawped at the mortal who’d been one second away from ending my life. He glared and raised his sword for another blow.

“Leave her,” another man called out. “Look at her neck. She’s been marked.”

His hands flopped petulantly to his sides. “She’s fighting forthem. Why should we spare her?”

“We can’t afford to lose his help. There’s plenty more, find a different one to kill.”

The mortal skulked off, mumbling a string of curses beneath his breath. As he turned, I spied a ten-pointed star glimmering under the shaggy hair at his nape.

All of them, I realized in stunned surprise—every single mortal bore the same glowing symbol Ophiucae had burned into my flesh.

He’d marked me.

He’dprotectedme.

Luther ran to my side and hauled me back to my feet. “Are you alright?”

My stiff, hurried nod was a glaring lie, and Luther’s frown looked like he knew it.

“If Doriel doesn’t make some progress soon...”

“They will,” I said. “Give them a chance.”

He let out a reluctant grunt, then both our heads snapped at the clink of breaking glass. Nearby, men were attempting to force their way in through the windows of a store packed with cowering faces.

We both jumped forward to stop them, but Luther outpaced me as my foot snagged and I lurched to my knees.

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