Now they just had to hold the line.
HOLDING THE LINE WAS easier said than done, but through a lot of determination, blood, and sweat they managed. Three hours later, Anna’s sword arm was nearly numb, her magic depleted, and she’d lost track of how many she’d killed. Obsidian wasn’t much better. Truth and Meadow looked worse than Anna felt.
But they’d kept the enemy off the shield wall long enough for the rest of the Legion and their military allies to make it through the portal spell and take up formations. The rest of the time had been spent fighting their way to First Legion.
“Almost there,” Anna said with more cheer than she felt.
More of Second Legion pushed to the front line, galloping past Anna and Obsidian, giving them a much-needed rest.
“Come on,” Anna said as she grabbed Obsidian and then tapped Truth with her tail. “Meadow, mount up. We’re taking a break.”
The words had barely left Anna’s lips when magic raced toward them all, the coiling reddish-brown was accompanied by the charnel house scent of old death she’d come to associate with the blood witch.
“Incoming!” Anna shouted the words, but it didn’t matter. The gargoyles already had their personal shields up, but the blood magic was strengthened by another power and stabbed right through all their defenses. Anna could only watch helplessly as the gargoyles at the front were mowed down and shredded by the power.
Only Anna’s need to save her Rasoren prevented the same thing from happening to him as she drew on lessons taught by the witch. She stole magic from the blood of her fallen comrades and used it to shape another layer of magic—this time blood magic—to her personal shields and then extended them to surround Obsidian, Truth, and Meadow.
The other two weren’t aware of what she’d done, but Obsidian knew. While there was a slight horrified look in his eyes, he didn’t recoil from her, so she wasn’t sure if his look was for what the blood witch had done or for what Anna had been forced to do to protect them. She was reaching for Obsidian’s mind to explain, and perhaps beg for his forgiveness, when he shook his head.”
“It is done. Dwell no more upon it,” Obsidian said, his voice calm and understanding. “You did what you had to do and we’ll both continue to do what we must until the witch is dead, and the Battle Goddess is in the Spirit Realm.”
A moment later, Gregory dropped out of the sky to land in their midst. He didn’t look in their direction as he struck back at the witch, but Anna felt a tendril of the Avatar’s magic skim over her and her companions as if he was checking to see if they were unharmed.
The male half of the Avatars called more power than Anna had ever felt before. It crackled in the air, lancing out of the ground and sky to arc across the distance. The ground shook under the repeated impacts.
Clearly, he was trying to hunt down the witch, but by Gregory’s curses, she knew he’d lost track of his target in the sea of bodies trying to escape his attack. But by the smoke and ash and burning flesh scent wafting toward them, many of the enemy’s front line hadn’t escaped unscathed.
Once he’d driven the enemy line back a good three hundred feet, Gregory glanced over his shoulder at them.
“Get ready to order Second Legion back. I’ll hold the shield wall while Major Resnick and the Clan and Coven start the second wave of attack.” Gregory paused and looked them over a second time. “You look like shit. Report to the healers. We need you in top shape for the final phase of the plan.”
Obsidian nodded reluctantly, but Anna still had to drag him away from the front.
“I want the witch’s heart,” Obsidian growled after he’d given the order for second Legion to move aside for the human military.
As they swiftly moved back, heavy artillery rolled forward to take their place.
“Kick some ass,” she told a tank as it opened fire on the enemy army. Then turning her attention back to Obsidian, she reached for him along a private link to speak over explosions and other battle sounds, “We’ll talk about who gets to tear out Taryin’s heart later after we’ve been to the healers.”
Overhead, a squad of fighter jets screamed past, delivering a more modern version of elemental fire to their enemies.
Chapter 21
Gryton
WHILE THE OPENING SALVO hadn’t gone as well as it could have, Second Legion and its allies did manage to drive back the enemy and cross over into the Magic Realm. As morning crawled into afternoon, the two Legions fought their way to each other. At last, they formed one large army that stretched from the portal spells to the valley’s eastern slope.
For now, the position gave the Divine Ones’ army the advantage, the enemy having to battle uphill. But that would soon turn when Light’s army needed to cross the valley floor and scale the slopes leading up to the Battle Goddess’s fortress.
Of course, Gryton hadn’t been permitted to take part in any of the skirmishes that had already happened.
He knew the reasons, but that didn’t mean sitting out the fight didn’t annoy him. Yet the Avatars were wise in wishing to keep his new abilities a secret until the djinn put in an appearance.
The dragon had advanced far in learning to control his powers, and when djinn and dragon, at last, crossed paths again, the djinn would find his little assassin spells were no longer effective.
Now, if the djinn would just join the fight in a more direct way, Gryton could begin earning his keep. Erika, too, was chomping at the bit while they waited for the djinn.
But while the spirit creature’s magic was used to strengthen many of the blood witch’s spells, Taryin hadn’t let the djinn off his leash yet to take a more direct part in the fighting.
With a growing sense of frustration, Gryton watched as the battle raged throughout the day and into the night. The human military’s capabilities had surprised the enemy, driving them back. But even the endless bombardment of bullets, grenades, mortars, missiles, and bombs—Erika had explained to him what each did—could only drive the Battle Goddess’s army back so far.
They eventually learned how to create shields that could protect against the various ordnances and how to use magic to attack the modern weapon systems.
There was great loss of life on both sides, and the battle came to a sort of stalemate, where opposing sides paused to lick their wounds, shore up their defenses, and recover their wounded from the battlefield.
It was during this downtime that Gryton was called to meet with his parents.
“Maybe they’re finally going to let us fight,” Erika muttered from her perch on the unicorn.
His own mount was a much surlier beast. Though the unicorn claimed the pooka was his friend, Gryton doubted the pooka acknowledged any friendships. Or maybe it was just the unicorn’s overtures that met with snapping teeth and the occasional kick.
When they reached the impromptu command center, the pooka and unicorn were escorted off in one direction while Gryton and Erika were ushered into a large tent. Inside over two dozen humans did various things on pieces of technology Gryton didn’t understand and didn’t care to learn.
He ignored the humans and sought out his parents where they stood around a table in the center of the room. Colonel Turner and Major Resnick were there as well. As were Anna, Obsidian, Gran, Thayn, Greenborrow, and Whitethorn. The last two males both glowered at him, but he didn’t acknowledge their displeasure at seeing him.
“Our units are driving back the Battle Goddess’s army,” Major Resnick was saying, “but forging deeper into her territory is going to be more difficult.”
Lillian nodded. “We don’t actually need to storm her fortress. We just need to make them think that’s what we’re planning. And then once Lord Draydrak arrives, it won’t matter where the Battle Goddess’s soldiers are amassed; the battle will be between demigods then. Your only job will be to get your men out of danger and to lock down the enemy army when they try to flee.”
“In the meantime, I’m more concerned why we haven’t seen more of the
blood witch,” Anna said as she leaned down and brushed aside several pieces of paper until she exposed a map. “We last saw her here, but nothing has been seen of her since Gregory’s assault. Are you sure you didn’t manage to kill her?”
Gryton’s sire huffed. “If only we were so lucky. But no. She still lives. We all would have felt her death. She’s likely working on some nasty bit of spell work. If she doesn’t show herself by the end of the day tomorrow, we’ll send in Gryton and the Null to flush her out.”
“I agree,” Lillian said as she gazed upon Gryton. “It’s nearly time our enemies beheld our son. However, I think we can lure her out by attacking their temporary base. The spies have seen several of the captains coming and going from the village at the base of the stairs. It’s close enough to our front line that one hard push should win us that target. It will have the added benefit of them thinking we’re making ready for the final push up the mountain slopes to take the city and confront the demigoddess in her temple.”
Colonel Turner glanced at Major Resnick and nodded thoughtfully. Then he started outlining possible attack strategies with the other humans.
Gryton no longer listened, his dragon rising within him at the knowledge he would soon be unleashed to roll across the land like a great, unstoppable wave of destruction.
He glanced back at his mother, wondering if the Sorceress had misjudged him this time. He wasn’t at all certain the dragon would listen to reason or even if it would target only the enemy soldiers.
Chapter 22
Anna
WITH LILLIAN AND GREGORY spearheading the push, the enemy’s line was broken, and Anna and her Rasoren were able to lead their team into the village. They met little resistance. That was likely because the Avatars had already destroyed or chased out most of the enemy soldiers with their battle magic.
Though, there had still been a few of the enemy hiding among the town’s houses as Anna’s blood-splattered sword and claws bore testimony.
“I sense humans here,” Obsidian said suddenly.
Anna glanced at him, her mind reaching for his thoughts to study what he’d found.
“Hostages,” she said darkly. “They were probably planning to use them as human shields.”
Obsidian snarled. “The cowardice of such an act...”
She didn’t disagree with him as they continued to scout deeper into the town. Obsidian glanced to his right. “Truth and Meadow. Take a unit of legion and human soldiers and scout the town’s east side. Thayn. Gran. You take the rest of the legion warriors and search the west side. Anna, River, Darkness, and I will go with Major Resnick’s team and take the center.”
“Be cautious,” River warned the others. “If I were the Battle Goddess or Blood Witch Taryin, I would set traps in case the area was overrun.”
Everyone nodded at the dryad’s wise words and then set off toward their assigned sections.
They found a few more enemy stragglers. Men and women who had been injured in the initial attack and weren’t able to escape with the rest of their brethren. While Anna knew Obsidian would have taken prisoners, the enemy didn’t allow themselves to be taken alive.
“Damn it,” Anna cursed as the fourth soldier they’d come across died by his own blade. “We could have used him alive.”
“They will have been ordered not to allow themselves to be taken alive,” Darkness commented. “The Battle Goddess knows we’ll try to extract information out of any survivors. She doesn’t want us knowing where the blood witch or the djinn are.”
Grunting, she admitted River was likely correct. That didn’t mean Anna had to like it, though. It would make things so much easier if they knew where the damn witch and djinn were holed up.
A soft brush of magic caressed her mind, and then Thayn was in her thoughts. Obsidian joined them as well.
“Vivien has taken an arrow to her thigh. I fear it might be poisoned,” Thayn explained, worry for the woman bleeding across their private link. “I’m taking her to a healer.”
“Of course. Go,” Obsidian ordered, then added as an afterthought. “Don’t fly until you’re safely behind our lines. You’ve been a thorn in the sides of many of our enemies. They’d like to put an arrow in your heart. Don’t give them a chance.”
The elder huffed. “As if I’d allow them the chance.”
But Anna could read his emotions. He would listen to Obsidian. The elder was wise enough to know worry for Gran might distract him.
“Go. And be safe, my mentor.” Obsidian’s last words were accompanied by warm affection.
A moment later, the elder vanished from their minds, but they could still track his progress as he made his way out of the town.
“Come on,” Anna said. “Let’s secure the site and free the hostages. Once we know it’s safe, we’ll allow the rest of the Legion to advance, and then we’ll go check on Gran. Lillian is likely already aware and heading toward her.
Obsidian agreed and ordered the group into motion once more.
Shortly, Anna came to a large structure. It might have been the town hall or equivalent. Inside, she could sense the life forces of many humans.
“We found them.”
“Yes,” Obsidian agreed as he dropped to all fours to sniff around the perimeter of the building. “I don’t sense any traps on the stone, but I can smell blood magic.”
Anna realized she’d been smelling the same thing, too. But she’d mistaken it for the smell of burnt flesh from the battle magic. The air was full of many unpleasant scents. Obsidian was correct though. When she drew in a deeper breath, she detected the unpleasant odor that was distinct to blood magic.
Obsidian placed his hands on the wall and took out a section of it, intentionally avoiding a door or window. Then he called on his personal shield, layering one layer upon another until it was as dense as she’d ever seen a shield. Anna followed suit.
“Major,” Obsidian said, glancing over his shoulder, “stay here with your men. Let Anna, River, and me secure the building. Once we know it’s safe, we’ll need your help moving the hostages.”
Obsidian turned to look at Darkness next. “Father, stay here and be ready to clear us a path if enemies come upon us, and we need to retreat in a hurry.”
Major Resnick and Darkness both nodded and then Resnick radioed the plan to the rest of the soldiers in the town who would, in turn, pass the news to the gargoyles and dryads.
Turning from the others, Obsidian leaped through the opening in the wall and Anna followed him in. River came last, one of her swords at the ready.
Soon Anna’s sight adjusted to the darkness and she could see the forms of over a hundred people crammed into the room. They were trussed up like cattle in a roping competition at a rodeo.
Obsidian took a step toward the nearest human. He made soothing noises. “Shh. You’re safe now. We’ll get you out of here and safely away from the battle.”
He was leaning down to cut the first person loose when River grabbed his arm.
“No. Get back now.”
Obsidian froze for a moment and then jerked back. Anna saw why when he moved a few more steps away from the nearest human, pushing River toward the closest window. A tendril of blood magic rose off the body. More soon joined it and the person—an older woman with long greying hair—made a gagging sound. It was the only noise she was capable of as she choked on her own blood as her veins burst out of her skin and shivered in the air, the blood magic drawing the veins out of the humans’ bodies.
“Oh, my fucking God.” Anna swallowed as horror tried to physically crawl up her throat.
“Out.” Obsidian barked and then shoved her in the direction of the window. Anna didn’t hesitate, scrambling out through the broken window after River. She paused to look back and make sure he followed.
Once he was clear, she glimpsed the network of veins spreading across the room and forming a sort of latticework. It was already beginning to pulse with power.
“Run,” he shouted at the humans.
River already had Resnick by the arm and was dragging him back the way they’d come. The other soldiers followed. Anna and Obsidian ran just behind them. They were only ten feet from the hall of nightmares when Obsidian called out aloud and in mind speech.
“Everyone get as far from the town as you can. It’s a trap. Move!”
To the east and west, Anna spotted as gargoyles took to the air, burdened with more than one rider. Some even carried human soldiers with their clawed feet.
“Should we grab the others and carry them out?” Even as she asked, she knew why Obsidian hadn’t already issued the order.
They were too close to what was going to be the epicenter of a magic bomb.
“If we’re caught in the air this close, while it likely won’t kill us, it might kill my mother and father. It certainly will kill Resnick and his men. But if we get far enough away and build shields low to the ground...”
Anna realized belatedly he was already calling on his magic, summoning more shields into being even as he ran. She began doing the same. They’d only made it about two-thirds of the way out of town when Obsidian gave the order to hit the ground.
River and the human soldiers listened, and then Obsidian was shoving Anna down next to them. His wings snapped out to cover them all instinctively even as he settled his shields around them until a dome covered the small group. Anna lent him her power, adding her strength to his shields.
A moment later, the world flashed white. The ground heaved under them and continued to shake for many seconds. Heat seared them through the shield. A second, even more massive shock wave hit them. Roaring filled her ears.
The Complete Gargoyle and Sorceress Boxset (Books 1-9) Page 193
