Page 80 of Witch Queen

Rambrog smashed his fists down on the hellbear and helltiger lunging for the young witch, felling the beasts in a single strike.

A hideous scream cut through the noise of the battle.

CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE

Bryony’s stomachdropped at the sight of the monsters who had breached the barrier and were emerging from the trees to the north.

“What the hell are those things?!” Regina snarled.

Bryony lowered her brows. She could make out several species within the hideous bodies of the creatures closing in on the gazebo where a hundred or so citizens crouched.

“Chimeras.” A muscle jumped in Barbara’s cheek. “That bastard fused his monsters together and—” She froze, horror widening her pupils. “Wait. Are those?—?!”

“Oh God,” April mumbled.

Rage misted Bryony’s vision.

Several of the monsters bore human body parts.

“Well, now we know what that bastard did with the missing coven members.” She glanced grimly at Barbara. “Can you hold the fort a moment?”

Barbara dipped her chin. “Be careful.”

Regina fist-pumped the air enthusiastically. “Go kick some monster ass, Bry-bry!”

Barbara scowled at the grinning witch. “How about you focus on this shield?”

Bryony sighed and unleashed her sword. She and Penley began making their way toward the monsters. The ground shook in their wake.

Bryony stopped and turned.

She eyed Rambrog with a frown. “Stay here and help them.”

The giant rumbled something before shuffling his feet awkwardly.

“I’m pretty sure Brimstone ordered him to guard you in case of danger!” Abraham shouted over before cursing and swooping beneath a devil’s talons.

Bryony’s frown deepened. Rambrog’s expression turned decidedly mulish.

Her shoulders slumped. “Alright. Just make sure not to step on any of our friends.”

The giant beamed and lumbered after her as she headed for the path that would intercept the chimeras’ route. Heat pooled in her belly and warmed her blood when she stepped on the asphalt. Magic shivered into life around her and Penley.

The Sorcerer King’s fiendish creations slowed at the sight of the emerald aura brightening the air.

“Are you ready, Pen?”

Her cat meowed and pressed against her leg, his magic strong and steady across their bond.

Motion under the closest tree line had Bryony cursing. A pack of hellbeasts darted out from the shadows under the canopy and bounded for the gazebo.

“Rambrog! Protect those people!”

The giant’s brow furrowed. His anxious gaze darted from her to the chimeras.

She smiled faintly. “I’ll be okay. Now, go!”

Rambrog hesitated before heading for the hellbeasts. She waited until he’d cleared the area before invoking the spell Mae had taught her before she’d left New York.

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