Page 72 of Kiss of Magic

A platoon of soldiers gathered in a ring. They knew they couldn’t fight these creatures but they were determined to dotheir duty. Kam’s throat tightened. They were going to be massacred.

“Tell them to stand back.”

Raya’s voice was terse and he turned to her in surprise. Her eyes were glowing orange and there were blue flames coming from her finger tips. Her wings, which were normally a reddish-yellow, were white hot.

He didn’t waste time arguing.

“Get back!” he yelled down. “Soldiers, retreat. That’s a order.”

The men didn’t need telling twice. They turned and ran. And the demons, reacting to some ancient predatory impulse, bolted after them.

They didn’t get far.

A wall of flame sprang up between them and their prey. It was so hot, Kam had to climb higher into the atmosphere to prevent his skin from searing. Raya hung among the thermal waves, unaffected by the heat. The orange streak of hair among her raven locks shone as brightly as her eyes.

He watched, fascinated. He had never seen anyone create a towering furnace like this before. It was beyond the capability of even the strongest Vulcani. But then, Raya wasn’t just Vulcani. She was also the daughter of one of the most powerful elven that had ever lived.

Her mastery was impressive. She directed the fire like a conductor directing an orchestra. Kam watched fascinated, as the blue-white inferno swept over the demons and annihilated each and every one of them.

She’s doing it,he thought exultantly.She’s destroying them.The air filled with the stench of charred bones.

Raya held it as long as she could. The last time she’d managed to wield this much power, it had lasted for mere seconds. Just a little longer, she told herself. Her limbs trembled with exertion

The wall of fire vanished without warning, leaving clouds of black ash drifting in its wake. As the flames winked out, so did Raya’s wings. She fell, weakened and half-conscious.

“Shit.”

In a panic, Kam dived after her, managing to catch her before she thudded into the ground. He supported her as she feebly tried to stand.

“Are you okay?”

“Just… just exhausted. Need to recharge.” She gave a wan smile. “Thanks for the pep talk.”

“Glad I could help.” He surveyed the scene of devastation, relief flooding through him. Every last demon was gone. “By the gods, Raya. I’ve never seen anything like that. It was incredible.”

“Just don’t ask me to do it again in a hurry. I’m wiped.”

There were still the first few demons that had got away. They would have to be dealt with. But the rest were gone. It was over. Nush’aldaam was safe. Everyone could return home and…

They both heard it at the same time. The distant thunder. Their eyes turned to the ruined palace wall which had once encircled the Seal Room. Dust rose from the shattered bricks as the ground trembled.

“What’s that?” whispered Raya.

Despair swept through Kam.

“I think that’s the next wave of demons.

Thirty Three

Washington D.C.

Dani couldn’t stop shaking. She curled against Blake’s chest and stayed there, even when he picked her up and walked three blocks with her to the nearest low-rent motel. The kind of establishment where cash was happily accepted and a man could carry a woman into a room with no questions asked.

He deposited her on the bed and sank down next to her.

“What’s going on, Blue?”

“I hear them,” she croaked. “I’ve been hearing them for some time only I didn’t realise it. The voices went away when you put the dampener on me. But now they’re back.” She looked up at him hopelessly, her fingers twisted into his shirt. “I think… I think whatever’s happening in Nush’aldaam is affecting me.”

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