Rolling to my feet, I watched as a wraith, one of the dreaded Netharat, clutched at its rotting, lumpy skull. I glanced back at Tessa, a question in my eyes, when I felt the pressure in the room increase, a sure signal of more unwelcome visitors.
There would be time for questions later, I told myself, and faced two more wraiths that appeared from out of nowhere, directly in front of me. I attacked, enraged that evil continued to spread into this as yet untainted world.
The wraiths gurgled with fear as water filled their bodies, drowning them in place. The magical waters touched only the Netharat, washing over and around them in a blur of motion.
Dying, they slowly faded into nothingness, disappearing into that dark place beyond worlds.
I heard Tessa curse in disbelief but kept my attention on the remaining wraith regaining its feet by the wall.
My fountain pen flew right by me and embedded itself into the creature’s forehead. The wraith howled in pain, the superficial wound only serving to aggravate it further. Considering how outmatched she was by both myself and the creature, I couldn’t help admiring Tessa’s determination, and that admiration only added to her allure.
“Stay back,” I warned her. Pleased as I was by her courage, I didn’t need the distraction.
It only took a moment of inattention to become Netharat kill. Wanting the creature gone and away from Tessa, I pulled my power inward, readying for a final confrontation.
“Why are you here, minion?” I asked it in its native language.
Its jaw opened in surprise, revealing three rows of black, serrated teeth. “You’ve a command of my language, eh, Storm Lord?” It laughed, a grating whine that made my head ache, and continued in English, apparently for Tessa’s benefit. “How nice. My lord might have more fun with you than I’d planned.”
“What do you do here, morlah?” Unclean one.
“I’ve come to play,” the wraith said, the rotting discoloration of its skin a disease upon the senses made worse by its odor of decay. “With you and all your friends,” it added slyly, a glance past me to Tessa.
The specific threat to Tessa stole my composure. I unleashed the reins on my tight control and unloaded my power onto the creature, forcing its form in upon itself, over and over. Crushed by the force of my will. Until nothing remained but a ragged cry of pain as it finally imploded and disappeared.
With the room now empty of evil, I turned to see Tessa gaping at me.
I’d like to think she stared with shock and awe, but when she spoke, fear laced her words.
“What were they? And who are you?”
I sighed. “That’s a long story.”
“I’ve got time.” She clenched her jaw.
Loud footsteps echoed down the hall, and I realized we had little time before outsiders became involved. “I’m sorry about this, Tessa.”
Giving her no time to respond, I telekinetically interrupted the supply of oxygen to her brain, just enough to make her lose consciousness. I gathered her in my arms before releasing a hurried spell to contact my brother.
Aerolus immediately appeared.
“We need to leave now.”
He nodded and, reaching out, teleported us all from the office as security breeched the door.
Chapter 9
Marcus
“Am I dreaming, or is Marcus standing with a gorgeous though unconscious redhead in our living room?” My idiot brother, Cadmus, stared with disbelief.
“You’re not dreaming,” Aerolus answered.
“Of course I’m not dreaming.” Cadmus rolled his eyes. “That was a rhetorical question. Honestly, Aerolus, you need a sense of humor.” He turned to me. “So, bro, tell me you found her for me. An early birthday gift, maybe?”
Irritated by his ill-placed amusement, I scowled and shifted Tessa in my arms. She hadn’t yet woken. “I don’t think a wraith attack is all that funny, Cadmus.”
“Nor do I.” Aerolus studied Tessa with an intensity I found bothersome. “But this feels like more than a simple attack.”
