It overpowered theirs completely, and even knocked them all out.
As he held that big group in Undead Domination still, I saw more darting out, trying to burst away, but fritzing—I guess because they were high or too terrified to focus.
“Wall to the right!” Sylas called again.
I threw up another wall, stopping three more vamps in their tracks.
And then Sylas slammed his palms together.
Everything stilled.
Every single vampire who wasn’t already unconscious or already trapped in Undead Domination was frozen at his will.
Hold on.
Why had he needed my walls if he could do that?
I got the circle of flames—obviously a distraction and freakout tactic. But the rest?
He let out a whistle as he stood amongst them all calmly holding it at bay like it was nothing to him at all.
Rushes of movement swept through the area, wind whipping around.
And then two dozen hooded figures with metal masks came into view right in front of Sylas.
With another burst, one stood in front of them.
“Nicely done,” he spoke to Sylas.
“Remnant, they’ll need a day in solitude until the magic leaves their system. They can’t be moved into Requital rehabilitation until then.”
Remnant.Winter’s grandpa.
“Yes, I can feel its potency.”
Sylas told him, “I’ll have Charles ascertain all the magical signatures and we’ll track the corresponding magic-wielders they’ve fed on and see to them. If they’re still alive.”
“Let’s hope for the best where that’s concerned.”
“Indeed.”
Remnant looked out at me. “Nicely done also, youngling.”
I smiled and we exchanged a chin lift.
The two of them lowered their voices then and I could no longer hear, likely talking Requital and The Shadowed business.
A few moments later, Sylas flicked his fingers, snapping the necks of all the vampires remaining conscious, knocking them out, before then ending Undead Domination, where they all dropped heavily onto the grass.
And then as fast as they’d come in, Remnant and a mere fraction of The Shadowed sped away, taking the fallen clan with them.
Sylas spun around and told me, “Clear your magic.”
I got rid of the flame walls, making sure I hadn’t left any sparks. I’d been careful when erecting them, even so quickly, not to touch the trees and bushes. The grass was a little charred, so I swept a healing wave of my power over it. Not fuchsia flames, but a smooth, glowing film that restored the grass to its former state.
I watched Sylas sweephismagic over the area then, conducting what I recognized as a scent-wipe.
And then he strode back to me, his leather coat flapping behind him.
