Page 84 of Red Ruin

Disordered energy screams where I’m needed most. I spot a lone Sentinel, split off from his unit and backed against a standing piece of wall.

Flames shoot from his hands, and his eyes shine orange. Two nubby horns sprout from his forehead.

Crispin?

The red-head’s power rages as he tosses curtains of fire. He’s not rampaging yet, but he vibrates wildly as he strains to solo dozens of kobolds.

“Sentinel!” I call, releasing my aura. “To me!”

“Guide.” Gasping the only word they never forget, Crispin punches through the kobolds’ line.

He sprints to me, arms and silks outstretched.

I connect to his spirit and groan.

The idiot is running in for a kiss.

Vhex and Remy can no-look-kill while they bicker and sniff my hair—this kid doesn’t have that kind of firepower.

Before Crispin can pucker, I’m already long-distance-purging his built-up poison. “Turn and fight. I’ll support you from behind.”

His eyes clear just enough.

After Crispin about-faces to deal with the few dozen enemies, I close the gap between us and press my hands to his back.

His shoulders ripple.

As I smooth through his magic, his silks try to suck me in.

“Easy.” I guide his chaotic power and easily rebuff his grab.

Even arms-shaking exhausted, this level of guidance is cake.

Crispin has no twists or hidden landmines. After a few redirections, his silks and magic hum through sparkling meridians.

Crispin’s fire stabilizes and burns hotter. Now his flame walls take down two or three kobolds at a time.

He doesn’t even need me to tell him where to aim.

“Thanks.” Crispin shifts until his body is shielding between me and the kobolds. “Stay behind me.”

It’s a little late for that.

I let him have his moment while I conserve energy.

“Crisp!” A Sentinel shouts. She and a full unit of Guides tear toward us, surprising the kobolds from behind.

With Crispin blocking for me, I take the chance to read the energies spread around the lawn. The scattered sword-clangs are dying down, and I don’t sense any unfamiliar Sentinels spiraling.

The familiar ones…

Hellfire and shadows crackle back and forth where the kobold lord used to be standing.

I rub my forehead.

As long as the warlord is dead and Vhex and Remy angle their fightawayfrom the base, I’m not getting involved.

Let them burn themselves out.

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