Chapter 602: Fragments
The world fragmented around me, slicing crystals bursting with explosive force. I flowed with them, from them, slamming into my body, the force of four souls coming together rocking my physical form even as I raised my arms and threw up my shields.
Liander thought bullets were efficient. Flying shards of crystal would do the job just as well.
Only problem, I had terrible aim.
A crystal shard whispered past my ear before freezing in place, much as Trill's bullet had, my shielding catching the flying projectiles and then releasing them all at once to tinkle harmlessly to the ground. I would have loved to let them fly, but I had no way of knowing if they would take out friend or foe and I just couldn't risk it.
The building below me groaned as though in agony as the power inside the black column vanished, the entire structure suffering from the loss. The feeling of my other egos remained with me, my magic intact, the petals of the dark flower at my base sighing shut, sated for now on the power of the dead crystal.
It was only when my magic pulsed, unfettered, I realized the protections around Brotherhood territory shattered with the crystal I destroyed.
"No!" I spun to find Belaisle pushing his way past the red pillar, heading for me. He seemed ready to lunge, attack me physically before he stopped, staring, hate and rage and fear on his face.
Time to show him who was really in control here. I raised my hand, my power reaching inside the crystal beside him. I knew what to look for now, found it easily. Welcomed the flower to open once more. Used the stored magic inside my sorcery to access all the flaws deep inside the pillar. And as I closed my hand into a fist, the column imploded, red fire shooting upward from its core, lost in the night sky.
Belaisle fell to one side, shouting an incoherent curse as I reached for the next one, amber demon magic escaping as I crushed that column, too. An amazing and terrible joy surged inside me at their destruction, calling on me to do more damage, to draw out more power.
The loss of the two towering pillars exposed part of the rooftop to my view, the crumpled forms of suited Brotherhood sorcerers scattered across its dark surface, only a handful remaining behind Belaisle while Trill, Owen and their companion stared at me, a swirling maelstrom of black and white magic falling to pool at their feet.
I held Belaisle's eyes as I shattered the forth column, heard the song of the Sidhe echo in the air, felt its rumble under my feet as the fifth collapsed, vampire's hiss swooping over my head before vanishing.
The sixth and last fell behind me, the pull of the witch magic embedded in it so strong I almost allowed it to join me, before sending it on its way, a wild trail of blue tracing a track across the dark sky until it, too, disappeared.
It was hard, so very hard, to force the dark flower to close again. It longed for Belaisle and his people, hungry for the power they held, trying to feast on them.
I almost let it.
Almost.
Belaisle's glare of fury turned to fear as my sorcery's swollen desires fell on him. But as I soothed the power to stillness, he slowly relaxed, settling finally into his familiar smile, though, from the tightness around his eyes, he wasn't as good an actor as he believed.
"You fool," he said. "I would have devoured you."
"There's still time," I snarled. "Patience."
He fell back a step, smile faltering. "This was merely one piece of the puzzle." His fists thudded against his thighs as he spoke, betraying his continued fury. "We have many more in play and you can't possibly find them all."
I shrugged, smiled back, let him feel my smug happiness. All those threats, what lay still uncovered? For tomorrow. I beat his ass. Time to rub his nasty face in it.
"We'll see," I said. "Now, are you going to come quietly, or do I have to knock the crap out of you first?"
He didn't get to answer. The air around me burst with magic, flares of blue followed by small rushes of wind as a floating army of Enforcers appeared overhead. Belaisle took one look at them and snarled before snapping his fingers at his men.
As one, they turned and ran, the Enforcers swooping after them. Only one remained behind, a tall, blonde man tucked against one side, a silver Persian held to the other. Sassafras leaped free from Pender Tremere's arms and raced to me, a streak of light, before launching himself into my arms.
I held him tucked close, his purr giving me focus as I stared at Andre.
I had to, Sass sent, mental voice full of misery. Forgive me, but Andre is the only choice, now.
I forgot Sass watched Mia crumble under Rupe's influence. Looked around to find the traitorous ex-Goth gone, run off with Belaisle, no doubt. Only then did I remember at last why we'd come here. Spotted Mia leaning against Quaid, both staring at Andre Dumont. The swirling mass of the Dumont family magic sighed as it hovered next to me, spinning slowly, sullen and rumbling, still clinging for support. The tiny pockets of magic circling it came to hover at my feet as Andre stepped forward, eyes locked on the power using me for shelter.
Mia lurched to standing, glaring at the male Dumont. "What are you doing here?"
He sneered, smoothing back his blonde hair, all nicely put together while Mia looked like she'd been dragged through something unsavory. And, to her credit, she had.
There was still a chance for her, no matter what Sass thought.
Mia, I sent. Reach for the magic. Don't hesitate.
She spun on me, eyes wide and staring.
This is your fault, she hissed back before turning to the family power and again raising her arms, opening them wide to the power she once possessed.
"Come to me!" She shook with need, taking a step closer. But even before Andre spoke I felt it.
Resistance. Punishment. Anger.
Loathing because she'd been unable to save it.
Andre's smooth voice, his soft French accent lilting and alluring, broke over Mia's. "Come to me."
The lavender tornado sped up. Didn't hesitate.
Dove directly for Andre and slammed full-force into his chest.
And the first male leader of a coven was created while the old one screamed her denial.
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