Page 128 of His Blazing Witch

The ruckus of the wind and waves is astounding, but she still heard him. She turns her head toward him, shaking in disagreement. She starts talking, and I have to figure it out from the movement of her lips, or what I can make out of it.

"You damn dogs... Always barking for nothing..."

So, it's a “no” with the werewolves. I exchange a glance with Liam, and she seems to notice it. Her stare is on me now. I'm not sure how brave I am supposed to be at the moment... I don't step forward, as Kelsi is still holding on to me, and she's probably not completely wrong either. I am tired as hell. It's really the worst timing to pick a fight with another witch, I'll admit that much.

For a second, I think she is going to talk, ask me something above the ruckus, but in a fraction of a second, I see her expression change into a haughty smile. I can almost tell what's going to happen.

She suddenly moves her hand, and the wave brutally falls on us. It's not just a little splash; the wave falls on us like a dead weight, and I'm brutally smashed against the diner's window. I hear athumpsound right next to me, and I find Kelsi a fraction of a second later. I don't feel her holding my hand anymore. My head, my shoulder, and my right flank hurts. I need to gather my thoughts and get back up. I'm down on my knees, and completely disoriented. The wave retreated as fast as it came, but I see it standing above us again, ready for another strike.

Holy shit...

It happens again before I can do anything. It's like getting a hundred-pound rug dumped on your whole body, except that it breaks apart a second later. Plus, the water gets into my nose and my mouth, and I start throwing up violently as soon as I get my head out of the water, on all fours. The worst part is, I hear a laugh somewhere farther, from a feminine voice.

That. Damn. Bitch!

"What is it, little one? Tired already? Or did I go too easy on you?"

So I'm the target? I gather my senses, and whatever is left of my stomach. I get back up, wiping my mouth. I glance around, only to see two dozen wolves spread all around, most lying down, half-conscious or looking groggy. She fucking struck all the werewolves…?

I find Liam, and thank Moon Goddess, it looks like he's getting back on his feet too, probably in the best shape out of all of us.

Kelsi! I had almost forgotten her. She's unconscious right next to me, her body lying against the diner. She's got blood on her temple too, she must have hit that wall hard. Damn it... I spot Ben as he gets back on his feet, like the other wolves, and stumbles back to come stand next to me. Poor Ben, it's not like he can perform a miracle against that kind of attack!

"What the fuck do you want?!" I yell with a raspy voice, mad as hell.

She suddenly pulls her wave to come closer, but, very strangely, she seems to hit something. The barrier! So she isn't able to get in after all, she can only attack from afar. How is her magic coming in, though, I thought we were fine! Or did I miss something? The sea... She's just using natural waves and making them bigger before they get in the barrier! I'm no expert, but you don't need magic to make a fucking big wave. Although, the good news is, that's probably all she can do for now. From Liam's injury, the other Water Witch, Nephera, could do much worse than that. I hate to say it, but those big scary waves are probably all she can do... I mean, she can send as many waves as she wants, perhaps rinse the people on the shore a hundred times with those, but there's all of Silver City left... She makes a grimace, annoyed by the barrier, and stops smiling to glare at me.

"I want this city. You don't deserve the power... How is a child like you even able to maintain a barrier like this?"

She thinks I'm the one maintaining the barrier? Moreover, what power is she talking about now? Is this about Sylviana's tree, or the Royal werewolves? I'm lost. Liam slowly retreats to stand in front of me, but I don't think the Witch Hunter will be useful in this case. She can't get in, but we can't do much to physically get to her either. ...Or, actually, the werewolves can't.

I take a deep breath, clearing my thoughts and ignoring everything that hurts right now to focus on my inner flame. I bring it out, showing my flames in my hands. Liam frowns.

"Mara..."

I know. I know I'm probably going to regret exhausting the very last supply of magic and energy I have left, but this bitch isn't going anywhere, and she needs a lesson about washing people out.

"Oh?" she says, smiling. "So you want to play with fire?"

"I can do more than play," I growl, and suddenly launch one of my fireballs at her.

However, I'm not that precise and strong that I would hit her on the first go. My flame almost felt dull and too slow, she doesn't even bother to step aside, and lets her new wave extinguish it first.

"Come on, little one, I know you can do better than that!"

She is provoking me on purpose. I know she sees the black markings on my arms, how weak I am as I try to stand on my own two feet.

"Liam, Ben, tell everyone to get the fuck out of here. She can only send more waves, but she's still behind the barrier."

Liam exchanges a glance with Ben, and the red-brown wolf suddenly howls loudly. All wolves, still down or already up, turn toward him. Some growl, but some are happy to scurry out of the witch's reach. I need to win time so that everyone manages to get out. Kelsi is still passed out, and only half the wolves leave, Liam and Ben not included.

"...Who the heck are you?" I ask the Water Witch.

"Why should I tell you?" she frowns.

"Because this is my city you're threatening!"

"Your city? It doesn't belong to a Cursed One like you!"

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