Treycore sliced between Vera and Maggie, but Vera disappeared again, reappearing on the other side of his sword. Treycore snatched her by her scrawny arm, hurled her over his shoulder, and slammed her into the floor.
The sword in her hand broke free and slid across the living room floor.
***
Dedrus’s peripheral vision worked overtime as he maintained his battle with Deter and kept an eye on the action around the room.
Craetis finally managed to get a grip on Kid’s arm. He twisted until Kid caved and released him. Standing back up, he grabbed Kid by his throat and tossed him across the room.
Kid plowed into a table so hard that it snapped in two.
Craetis loosened the belt around his neck and gasped for air.
“Fucking shit,” he said. He fondled his balls and turned to Kinzer. “You!”
Dedrus dropped to the floor, scooped up Kinzer’s sword, which had slid near him just moments earlier. Keeping up with Deter’s attacks, he sliced through Craetis’s shin.
Craetis’s face flashed red. Veins swelled across his temples. He unleashed a howl that echoed across the walls. As his leg was sliced off, he toppled like Goliath.
Blood oozed across the wood-paneled floor.
Dedrus spotted Mika, who’d been lying listlessly on the floor for some time after Treycore had decked him. Mika stumbled to his feet and headed for Dedrus.
Just what I need.
He used Kinzer’s sword to defend himself against Mika and continued using his own to defend against Deter.
Craetis cried like a baby as he nursed his bloody stump.
***
Kinzer raced into the study.
He was right behind Treycore. Maggie headed toward a window behind the desk.
Vera appeared, midair, her wings outstretched, soaring at her.
“Come here, sweetlips!” she exclaimed.
“Behind you!” Kinzer called. “Don’t let her touch you, Maggie!”
Maggie squealed. She ducked and crawled under the desk. Vera landed on top of it as Treycore bounded into the air, swinging his sword violently before him. As the tip of his blade grazed her feathers, she disappeared. Kinzer landed on the desk, his feet dancing about as he struggled to maintain his balance on the stacks of papers and files scattered across it.
As Maggie crawled out the other side of the desk, Vera appeared behind her, covered in sweat, breathing heavily, her eyes savage as she reached for Maggie’s leg. Treycore swiped his sword toward the floor, slicing her hand off.
“Ahhhh!” she wailed and vanished.
Hopping off the desk, Treycore knelt to cover Maggie.
***
Dedrus’s chest vibrated rapidly as he tried to catch his breath. He didn’t know how much longer he’d be able to take on Mika and Deter. They continued swapping attacks when he heard, “Boys!”
Vera stood on the stairwell, cradling a bleeding stump. Her hair was drenched with sweat. Her chest trembled as she breathed. She looked like she was about to shake to the floor.
“We’ve gotta go,” she said.
Craetis limped to the stairs.
