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We continued toward town hall, stopping every few minutes to defend ourselves and knock out more soldiers, leaving a trail of bodies in our wake.
“Alice!” Farren yelled as he barreled toward the stairs of town hall, Levi and Avi on her heels. Both of them lashed out at the man pinning down our friend, helping her get free. Farren was by her side in seconds, checking her over, while we fought off the humans joining the chaos in his defense.
“Get her to town hall,” I ordered Beau, who had come up to help us. He whisked a bloody and bruised Alice away, but she likely wouldn’t stay gone for long if her arguing was anything to go by.
“They’re making an impact,” Niko said solemnly. As many of ours were hitting the ground as theirs, though ours didn’t stay down long thanks to their supernatural healing.
This all felt like we were transported back to the beginning when our people were first forced into hiding. That secluded life had only lasted about twenty-five years before supernaturals came out for good, but clearly not all humans had adjusted to being at the bottom of the totem pole.
In my former coven, we had learned about the battles throughout all of our lessons. You couldn’t truly be a warrior until you knew the history and wars of your ancestors. That knowledge made us stronger, more understanding of the stakes that were at hand, but it could never prepare you for the moment you watched your brothers and sisters in arms fall at the hands of your enemy.
As those willing to fight joined us, it reminded me that our group needed me. I turned to Farren and pulled her into a tight hug before brushing a kiss across her lips. “You stay safe, my queen.”
“I'll do my best.”
With the others there to protect her, Niko and I ran into the fray. It was hard to make sense of the flying spells and stray bullets, but I managed to sharpen my senses enough to adjust to the insanity. I dodged a round of bullets before slamming a wall of magic into the soldiers. Some of our men were also knocked out, accidental casualties, but it calmed the fight enough for us to take the upper hand.
“Fuck!” Niko groaned as he took a bullet in the arm. I didn’t have time to help; I threw a blast and knocked out another group of soldiers, trying not to think about the blood pooling around them. This was war; I could only spare so many.
“Niko,” I breathed out as I pointed to the group we’d knocked out. Their bodies shriveled before our eyes, a wisp of magic and smoke swirling from their bodies into the air. “What the fuck?”
“Follow it. It’s him,” Niko said.
“It’s dark magic,” Avi confirmed. “No need for regaining strength if he lets us do the work. They were hexed, not charmed. The moment they fall, they die, and he absorbs their power.”
The next time a soldier fell, we watched that smoke trail upward, heading right for the roof of town hall.
“He’s up there! The sick fuck!” I yelled as our gazes went to the feeble man who waved down at us with a triumphant smile that I returned. We had him now. This was the end.
* * *
Arch Mage
The chaosbelow was exactly as I wanted it. I was far enough away that Farren wouldn't find me easily. I knew she was my one weakness here. She'd already proven that in the dreams by stealing half of her magic back. Despite her attempts, I held on tightly enough that she wasn't able to succeed. This was my one chance to get it all back, to fix my one true failure.
My soldiers had been given the order to kill everyone in their path. The only one they needed to capture was Farren. They had no issue killing any supernatural they came across. Though these humans, despite being proud, were no match for our kind. But that was my plan from the beginning. Every soldier’s death would only fuel me.
Every time my soldiers approached, there was a wolf, dragon, or witch to stand in their way. She was well loved and guarded, which was comical. A rather pathetic attempt at trying to reverse history and rebuild her kind. I’d take care of that today.
As the war raged on, they could only hold back so much, which meant more of my soldiers fell to mortal wounds, increasing my well of power. Humans held a source of their own, though it was usually untapped. What they held inside them was the rawest form of power, one that I'd come to enjoy like a drug. A fresh bunch of deaths sent another wave of power into me, and as I looked down at the war raging below, my eyes met Farren and her mates’. I waved, knowing they’d come for me next, but that was of little consequence. Now, I was ready.
With the new power, it took me a moment to adjust. My body had finally reached its capacity, and I could take almost no more magic. Part of me was disgusted by glutting myself on the humans, but it would be worth it in the end. Really, it was about all they were good for. They might as well be the cannon fodder that helped me get my vengeance.
Farren had ruined everything, and now it was my turn to take everything from her. She might have been my undoing, but I would be hers in return.
ChapterNineteen
Farren
My heart sank at the pure glee on Clarence’s face. Did he have more planned for us? Otherwise, he would have hidden better, waited until we were weakened to make himself known.
“He’s going to do something more. We have to get our asses up there. Now,” I growled as I sprinted to the front doors. Kane moved me out of the way then blasted the glass of the front door with magic, shattering it in the process. With that out of the way, he simply reached inside and disengaged the lock.
We rushed inside, West now joining us. He was just as invested as we were, and I wouldn’t turn down the extra help. He took the lead without a word, bringing us through the main lobby and into the back hall. With a few twists and turns, we finally found an old wooden staircase leading to the upper floor. It was silent, but his scent was everywhere here.
“Remind me to send someone to check these halls later,” Niko said as we rushed past the rooms to the roof access stairwell in the storage room.
“Done,” Kane said with a weary look at the rooms we were passing by. I had a feeling we’d find more carnage inside. Or possibly accounts and names of what he did. If that were the case, I’d spend my time letting every family know. Closure could be tough, but it was necessary for many.
