Page 50 of Midnight Witch

“ROT!”

Nikolai’s ears popped. He grunted, legs caving slightly as the pressure of Oscar’s spell weighed him down. A violent, scarlet aura made the air tremble around Vlad as he resisted the corrupt magic attempting to bring him to his knees.

Choked-off screams rent the air. The New York coven witches and sorcerers fell to the ground and started convulsing.

Oscar didn’t even spare them a glance.

Nikolai’s stomach curdled as he watched the thrashing figures’ foaming mouths and jerking bodies. He knew instinctively that the only reason he and Vlad weren’t going through the exact same thing right now was because of Mae’sSoul Shield.

“Is that your father’s magic I can feel mixed in with his?” Vlad said between clenched teeth. “This spell is way stronger than anything this asshole has shown us before!”

Nikolai had to concur. There was a sinister echo to Oscar’s spell. One his brother had not possessed before.

“He’s right.” A nasty expression twisted Oscar’s features as he looked from Vlad to Nikolai. “Father decided to lend me some of his strength to accomplish this most hallowed task.” His eyes shrank to slits. “However much I may loathe your return, there is no doubt you are essential to our schemes. Besides, father is very keen to study your new powers,brother.”

Revulsion tightened Nikolai’s throat. He could only imagine what that would entail.

Oscar smiled coldly. “Disperse.”

Nikolai gasped. He could feel his magic being drained.

He barely had time to draw on his core before Oscar stepped up to him, reached throughContain, and punched the dark orb in his hand inside his belly.

“Nikolai!” Vlad barked.

Nikolai’s breath froze. His eyes rounded as he stared from where Oscar’s hand had entered his body to his brother’s triumphant face.

Oscar’s gleeful smile slowly faded at Nikolai’s lack of reaction. “What the hell is that?”

Nikolai swallowed.He must meanSoul Shield!

Oscar’s lip curled. “It seems that bitch is still trying to protect you even though Barquiel is torturing her right now.” He smirked. “How cute. Don’t worry, it won’t be long before we bring you her corpse.”

The aura around Vlad thickened with rage. “You bastards won’t get away with this!”

Wrath ignited Nikolai’s core. He scowled and grabbed Oscar’s wrist.

“Hell Flare!”

Black and crimson flames exploded into life and raced up Oscar’s arm. He cursed and withdrew his hand from Nikolai’s body before batting at the magic fire, the dark orb in his grasp fading with a hiss of corruption. Drabek backpedaled at his side, eyes full of loathing. Having experiencedHell Flareonce before in Prague, it looked like neither the sorcerer nor his lynx familiar were keen for a repeat.

The building trembled. Oscar startled and stumbled.

Nikolai almost lost his balance as the floor shook violently beneath his feet. A familiar power brushed against his consciousness. His pulse quickened.

Mae!

The ground exploded upward. A violent outburst of crimson magic flooded the room and smashed all the windows.

Mae rose through the gaping hole alongside Brimstone and Hellreaver. Her furious gaze found Nikolai and Vlad.

“Are you guys okay?!”

Relief brightened Vlad’s eyes. “Never better, princess. We sure as hell are glad to see you!”

Mae clenched her jaw. “Hell, go free Alastair and Tarang!”

Hellreaver flashed across the chamber and smashed through a wall. The sound of exploding concrete trailed in his wake as he carved a path through the building.

---