Page 8 of Shadows and Runes

I take a deep breath, turning toward the more frantic-looking wisps, “We’ll protect ittogether.”

And I meant it. I wouldn’t allow anyone to hurt my home.

The alarm cuts off instantly. The loud noise no longer assaulting my ears as I sigh with relief.

Well, at least that'sonething done.

My ability in magic itself wasn’t the strongest. Spells, potions, and casting weren’t my forte. They were the basics, but I always struggled, my power never connecting properly, and I always thought there was something wrong with me. That maybe the elders and other supes were right. Maybe I was weak, not pure of power. It took a long time and some hard training from Isaiah, my mentor, to realize that my abilities were different from other witches and Mages but that it didn't make me weak or any lesser than them.

My power was something only forme. A magic that would solely fortify and protect me. An attack of any kind would be either absorbed or deflected by my body. Runes on my body since birth would glow almost pearlescent while I was under attack and react to disperse any incoming magical attacks.

With one quick thought to activate my runes, my body would fortify, my skin becoming impenetrable. Blades would become mangled on impact, bullets would ricochet, and a fist flying toward me would instantly shatter the bone within it,even a shifter's.My body literally becomes an impenetrable shield. It would sometimes react before even I knew I was being attacked.A handy perk.

Over the years under Isaiah, I've learned to use and manifest that power, adding to it by learning hand-to-hand combat and martial arts. Being able to defend myself is a powerful thing, but not knowing how to help and protect the ones around me would be something I couldn’t live with.

We learned through years of training that I had a higher energy level than most, being able to run thirty laps without getting tired and training for hours without a problem.

I’m pulled from my thoughts as magic surges around the room, a static energy almost white in color. It moves like a wave in the ocean, stretching itself to every part of the Library, creeping from the ground to the roof and down again. A hum in the air as the magic moves on its own accord, old and strong in its reach.

I relax my body and accept the magic as it floods the room around me.

Purepower.

A buzz rings out in the air as the magic becomes more potent, static, joining the flowing power as it moves. One large surge of power pours down the walls before slowly fading. It’s followed by a loud rumble drumming throughout the room.

I turn to the direction of the noise…the Vault!

I rush toward the back door and head for the basement staircase.

Were we already being attacked from the inside?

No, that's not possible.

I crash into Isaac as I reach the stairs, stumbling before he catches my arm, stopping me from falling forward and down the steps. Before we can even speak, another boom bellows out from the floor below us. Flashing lights pour from the usually dimly lit floor, voices and movement suddenly ringing out from the large basement.

Dark smoke starts to pour from Isaac’s arms, coiling and encircling his body, preparing for the oncoming threat.

I prepare myself, the runes on my skin gleaming as power surges through me, fortifying my flesh and strengthening my body.

Before we can go on the attack, voices bickering, wailing, and shouting make their way to us. Sounds you don't normally hear from people going to attack you.

Isaac looks at me, eyebrows furrowed in question.

I move to take a step down the stairs, and when Isaac grabs my arm from behind, a fierce glare sets on his face. “Impenetrable, remember. I’ll be fine.”

I shake his hand off as he scowls.

Before he opens his mouth, I head down the stairs. Isaac is close behind me as the voices and noise become louder the nearer to the bottom we get.

More magic flashes from the lower basement as we reach the bottom step, streaks of static energy pour out from the large indentation on the far corner of the Vault.

Magic pours from the spelled circle like vines climbing the walls of the lower basement, and there in the center of it all are people.

People with injuries, some unconscious, some crying, some arguing with each other, and some looking completely baffled.Join the club.

Why andhoware these people here?

CHAPTER FIVE

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