Page 57 of Elemental Hope
The sound of a gunshot penetrated the natural cacophony, the loud retort shocking. Dominic could make out Damon kneeling on the ground next to Symeon’s prone form. Dominic crawled over to him, barely feeling the stones cutting into his knees and hands. The perfectly round hole in Symeon’s forehead and his sightless red eyes betrayed what Damon had done.
Damon hugged himself, rocking back and forth. The discarded gun was half buried in the mud at his side. Dominic threw his arms around Damon and held him tight, absorbing the tremors from his light body. Damon sobbed against his shoulder, his tears mingling with the rain.
When Evrain stopped channeling, Dominic’s body sagged with relief. The rain had petered out but it would be a while before the drips from his sodden hair ceased rolling down his face. Evrain came into view behind Damon.
“Damon grabbed the gun and shot him. Symeon’s dead,” Dominic said more calmly than he felt.
“I can’t say I’m sorry.” Evrain’s voice was cold as ice. “He did what I couldn’t. Is he okay?”
“Just shocked, I think. He’s soaked and cold. We should get him to the car.”
“Gregory’s car just pulled in. They must have turned around as soon as they were out of sight. Nathaniel will want to take care of Damon.”
Damon scrubbed a muddy hand across his face, leaving dirty smears behind.
“Why did you do it, Damon?” Dominic asked.
“He would have killed Evrain and he was planning to do awful things to you, Dominic. You’re my friends. You’ve done more for me than anyone ever has. I couldn’t let that happen. Symeon was evil. He hurt everyone he came into contact with.”
“Most of all you…” Dominic’s heart broke for Damon.
There was the crunch of tires over gravel then the sound of running. Nathaniel skidded to a halt next to Dominic. He glanced at Symeon’s corpse then at the gun.
“I’ll take him, Dominic.” Nathaniel bent then lifted Damon to his feet. “I’m here. Everything’s going to be okay.” He pulled Damon into a tight embrace.
Dominic scrambled to his feet just as Coryn and Gregory arrived.
“What happened?” Gregory asked.
“Damon shot Symeon,” Dominic explained, reaching for Evrain’s hand.
“Damon distracted Symeon enough that I could channel,” Evrain explained. “I would have killed him I think… I was desperate enough and even with the potion Symeon was too weak to stand a chance against me. Damon saved me from having to.”
“Good riddance,” Coryn said with feeling.
“I’m afraid I have to agree.” Gregory nodded. “Symeon Malus has been a thorn in my backside for far too long. He was always a poor excuse for a warlock. Power-crazy, money-grubbing, psychotic…”
“We get the picture, love.” Coryn stopped the tirade.
“So do we call the cops?” Dominic asked.
“This is warlock business,” Gregory replied. “Evrain, can you saturate the ground with enough water that it liquefies? I can help.”
“I’ll turn it to soup if I have to,” Evrain said.
Dominic moved to stand with Coryn as the two warlocks channeled. He watched the already sodden ground around Symeon’s body shimmer and shift. A couple of air bubbles rose to the surface then popped. Symeon and the gun sank from view, the mud closing over him.
“Now separate water and earth,” Gregory ordered, fingers flickering.
Evrain frowned, muttering words Dominic couldn’t quite hear. Where Symeon’s body had lain, the ground dried and solidified. In less than a minute there was no evidence that a body had lain there at all.
“We pushed him deep.” Gregory flexed his fingers. “There’s no chance some wild critter will dig him up.”
It was Coryn who diffused the tense atmosphere. “Well, I for one am starving and ready for my bed. I suggest we all head to wherever home is for the night.”
“Good idea,” Dominic agreed. He was about ready to collapse. The lure of a warm bed and Evrain’s bare skin against his was irresistible. He tugged Evrain’s hand.
“Is it really over?” Evrain said, sounding shattered.
