He tensed and concentrated. Still, Nick could not communicate with any of the men. He ran his hands over their arms in an attempt to touch them, and even forced himself to imagine a coin levitating. Nothing.
Growing desperate, Nick stepped into the man nearest him. Maybe he could possess someone.
A rush overcame him. The man's heartbeat hammered loud as a riveter in his ears. The soldier's pulse throbbed and every breath echoed. Somewhere deep inside, Nick knew he'd not taken over the man, but a bond connected them, however weak.
Nick tried reaching the man wordlessly, urging him to send a runner to the hangar and command the crew to board the star darts. Nick's head weighed heavy, and a humming noise spilled through his eardrums. The soldier replied with a loud grunt. When Nick thought he'd failed again, the man turned and waved a runner over.
Words escaped the gruff ensign's mouth. The runner appeared bewildered, but did as he was bid.
Time ticked by and Nick changed his Sight. The bridge flooded with more of the things each second. Cold sweat ran down his neck, and he sensed the ensign's fear as well. Somehow the man knew that something was amiss. Of course, no one on the ship could see the three truth seekers—or the grotesque monsters eating the energy.
Then, the messenger returned, shiny-faced and panting. Nick attempted to read his lips, searching to find out if all was safe. When the ensign asked, the runner nodded, and relief flooded Nick in a cold swell.
Cut off the power, Nick urged, and leave it off for a few minutes.
The soldier resisted him at first. Horrified at the thought of so much work going for naught, Nick forced images of the ghost-like creatures into the man's head. The ensign gasped, his beefy hands clasping his skull. Others nearby stopped working and turned to him.
You're okay, Nick growled, but those things are feeding off your ship. Do what I say, and the star darts will go to Azimuth safely.
The fear emanating from the man was almost tangible. Just when Nick thought he had pushed the crewman as far as possible, the ensign resigned and lumbered over to the switch.
Fresh air struck Nick as the man stepped away from him. The connection was cut. It was as though he'd lost a dear friend, and he gasped at the sudden loneliness, but he didn't have time to dwell on it.
Someone yelled at the soldier, and others raced to stop him as he reached for the main power lever. Then, as if in slow motion, the ensign pulled down.
The ship's loud humming ceased and darkness ensued.
Nick pressed the button on the Sight and held his breath.
The ghosts gave cries of dismay and faded. Cracks echoed around him as their ties to the ship were severed one-by-one. Others swarmed from the room in a torrent of energy. Their screaming forms flickered a few moments before they began vanishing.
Nick silently prayed the crew would be safe. The air on the bridge grew thinner as it was slowly sucked out of the rest of the craft.
Denon stepped by his side, bloody and exhausted, and smiled. "Good job. Now he needs to turn it on."
"Not yet," whispered Nick, nodding toward a figure that churned outside the ship, forming and growing bigger.
Denon followed Nick's gaze.
The pale, electric shapes shifted into something larger, joining together. Insect-like arms of electrons reached for the ship, but they were dim. A lithe, nasty body shivered as currents of weak electricity raced through the form. When the creature found nothing to feed on, it gave a final, hellish trumpet. It whirled its antenna around its bulbous eyes and wagged its femur. Its wings chattered, and it was gone.
"The Maroccanus," said Denon.
"What?"
"I've never seen one, but have read about them. Legends speak of the Maroccanus wrecking many vessels by feeding on their energy. It's gone. Tell him to switch the power."
Nick raced over to the ensign. The soldier had been tackled to the deck. Men started hollering at each other, and the man Nick had spoken to was uttering something, confused and dazed. Nick slipped into his mind—easier this time—and he didn't resist when Nick told him to turn the power back on.
Another of the men rose and yanked the switch. The trooper on the floor wriggled free as lights flickered to life. Air rushed into the cabin and crewmen cheered as their instruments began working again.
Nick backed away and wiped a film of sweat from his face.
Spiro clapped him on the back. "Good man."
"I just hope we're not too late," said Denon.
The gates screeched and rocked.
Shelby fought to the center closer to Riley and Emily and yelled, "They're about to fall!"
Overhead, gleaming figures approached from out of the sky. They rocketed by, cracking the air with a thunderous swish. Shelby gasped as they raced back toward the city. They looked like smooth, flawless airplanes, coated in silver metal and glinting in the light of the late afternoon sun.
Throg pointed up. "Star darts! The United Forces have joined the fray!"
The star darts swooped down on the sea of Nightlander men. Fiery red beams launched from their wings and bombarded the Nightlander troops with aplomb. Nightlanders exploded in balls of fire, and searing flames raced across the field where the lasers struck.
Raucous cheers boomed from inside the gates of Meracuse. Strike after strike left the Nightlanders frenzied, but it wasn't enough. The tide of battle had turned, but only for the moment. Hundreds of Battleswine began to rush in around them, slaughtering those who drew too near and buying more time.
"We must strike now. Onward!" Milo charged forward with the Stonecoats.
The Battleswine followed close behind. A Disemboweler came from nowhere, slamming into one of the Swine. One of Gunther's men roared and sliced the beast in half, then helped his companion—the white-furred female, now pink and red, gore-sprayed from the slaughter—back to her feet.
Shelby launched after Milo, determined to make sure the Stonecoat had cover. She turned to Max and called out for him, but he was lost in the fracas. The other Kin had also vanished.
Not ten yards from the main gates, a furious figure slaughtered Battleswine and Meridian soldiers left and right. The dark warrior struck with terrifying accuracy and a maniacal resolve, all the while shouting orders to the Nightlanders. He obliterated every man who came near.
Shelby ripped her saber from the gut of a Nightlander and turned to spy Milo shouting at the demonic figure.
"Fight me in single combat, Malefic, you coward!" The Stonecoat leader brandished his long sword, and the blade glimmered in the fading afternoon light. "Come and best me, if you dare!"
Cold dread filled Shelby; that man was no ordinary Nightlander. She ducked as a Nightlander swung his morning star at her, and with a quick twirl of her blade, put him down. She strode forward, her boots sinking into the soiled ground. When she pulled them free, they made a sucking noise against the mud and mire.
Malefic descended off his mount and slapped the charger on its rear, sending the hellish horse galloping into the tumult.
Shelby watched, mesmerized as the enormous man lifted his black sword and prepared to bring it down on Milo. She turned away when Stuart called her name, lifting her rapier just in time to parry a blow that would have cleaved her in two.
Stuart came up behind the Nightlander and shot him point blank in the back. The Nightlander crashed to the ground with a cry.
"Look out!" Stuart cried over the noise of clanging swords and neighing horses. "And be careful!"
"Where's Max?" hollered Shelby.
"There!" He pointed.
Shelby followed the motion beyond the fight between Malefic and Milo. Max was busy hacking at Nightlanders, trying to keep them away from Milo.
Shelby whirled around, preparing to help him, when she was confronted by a dozen more of the black-armored knights.
High above, the star darts rocketed by, sending another wave of their lasers into the fray. They shot hoards of Nightlanders, but still the dark soldiers did not yield.
She
lby swung until her arm ached, and continued to parry and riposte with grace and power. Her body grew weary, yet the battle raged on around her.
From the corner of her eye, she caught glimpses of Malefic battling Milo. Every blow Milo placed on the Nightlander leader was returned by several strikes of inhuman strength. Shelby forced her exhausted body on, refusing to give up. If it would help Milo somehow to land that single thrust that would end it all, she'd gladly kill a hundred Nightlanders.
Then, as if a ghost, one of the Disembowelers bounded over Emily and Stuart. Foam dribbled from its maw and thick sludge covered its legs. The snarling beast propelled at Milo, whipping its claws through his side.
Milo collapsed, writhing in pain.
Shelby cried out, and turned to race forward and take Milo's spot, but before she could take so much as a step, Max was there, standing beside Milo's crumpled form.
Max buried his long sword into the chest of the rabid creature as it turned to him. The Kin retracted his blade from the convulsing monster and, in one bound, landed in front of Milo, parrying the blow meant to finish the Stonecoat leader off.
Malefic cursed and glared at Max.
"Little Kin, I will hack you to pieces!" Malefic shouted as he lifted his sword high and swung it forward with both hands. The blow shattered Max's blade and struck the top of his helmet.
"No!" Shelby screeched.
Max dropped to his knees, dazed, as Malefic raised the obsidian blade again, preparing to behead him.
Shelby bolted for Max, tears rolling down her cheeks.
Everything seemed to slow down. She fell to the ground, screaming Max's name. Then her fear and sorrow gave way to cold rage; as she viewed Max, she thought of Mr. Dempsey. With another cry, her body pulsated and heat coursed through every limb. A buried reserve of power welled up inside her, and then surged.
Just as Malefic moved forward and brought the sword down toward Max's head, a bright light blazed between them, swallowing Malefic as his momentum carried him into the glare. As quickly as it had come, the glow vanished. Echoes of Malefic's shouts of rage broke from the area where he'd once been.
Shelby's body trembled. Ignoring the pain in her limbs, she threw her saber aside and raced toward Max. Only footprints in the mud remained where Malefic had stood. Shelby dropped to Max's side and pulled him close.
All around, Nightlanders lowered their weapons and whispers flew through the crowd. Some of the stunned men were hacked to the ground before anyone knew Malefic was gone. Then, those who survived began to run, fleeing as quickly as their feet could carry them.
The damaged doorways screeched as they started to open. Nightlanders had raced from the main gates in hopes of retreating to their camps or escaping, but the Battleswine at the flank of the field made sure none were left alive.
Shelby protected a woozy Max as thousands of Meridian warriors discharged and sprinted out. The Nightlanders who had stayed close were cut down in seconds.
She heaved Max up higher. As they stumbled, he lifted his head and their lips brushed. She locked eyes with him.
"I had him right where I wanted him," he quipped. He drew closer again and kissed her.
Shelby's heart throbbed as their lips met. She pulled him close, glad to have him safe in her arms, and smiled as she gazed into his eyes.
"Inside... now," Bianca ordered the Kin.
She cast a motherly glance to Shelby and Max before racing forward and helping Shelby pull Max to his feet. Stuart pushed Shelby aside and took the majority of Max's weight onto his shoulder. They scurried in through the edges of the barreling soldiers and followed Bianca as she dashed forward. As they passed the warriors, Presage stood behind, his piercing green eyes gazing upon them.
"Well done," said Presage.
Barrick and Sculptor burst down a ladder and trotted over, bloodstained and bruised. Sculptor's nose was crooked, but not broken. The side of his face had an enormous scrape on it, and Barrick had a nasty gash that broke his armor along his back.
"We thought we'd never see ya again," said Barrick.
"Look what the bearcat dragged in," Sculptor chirped, grinning.
Cumber trotted over, brandishing a bloody battleaxe. "It's good to be with ye, but I'm off to trounce some Nigh'landers," he said as he charged toward the gate.
"Why don't you join him, Barrick? You could use the exercise," Sculptor jabbed, and they all laughed.
A few moments later, a number of Stonecoats rushed through the gates. Shara trotted easily with a listless Milo across her back. Shelby exhaled as medics raced to his side to help him.
Battleswine entered the city with Krupp's limp body slung between Gunther and another Swine.
She turned to Bianca, disheartened. "We won, but at what cost?"
"Milo will live, and Krupp's men see death every day. They are a warrior race. Even so, the loss of their general is a stinging blow." She laid a hand on Shelby's shoulder. "The Battleswine believe that when they die, they are reborn to fight celestial wars. Krupp has gone to the place of his forefathers. His death was not in vain, though. Today is a victory we cannot forget."
She smiled warmly and pulled Shelby close. Bianca's hair was mussed and she had a scratch along her neck. A hole gaped from her shoulder. "You must not feel that this day was a loss, my dear. Malefic is gone, though where, I cannot begin to guess. He must have seen the tide turn and fled."
"No, Malefic didn't flee. He'll be back." Somehow, Shelby knew for a fact Malefic hadn't run away. She had done something out there, but couldn't begin to guess what. The mere thought of the Nightlander leader made her blood boil with rage.
"What do you mean?" Bianca looked as though she already knew what Shelby was thinking.
"I...." Shelby swallowed. "Is it possible to feel so scared, so angry, at someone, that you transport them away without understanding how?"
Bianca flashed a knowing smile. "Your mother, Samantha, is a witch, Shelby. My sister was a good witch until it was decided to send you to Earth. You may be a powerful Kin if you inherited her talent." She squeezed Shelby's shoulder and smiled.
Shelby's eyes burst open wide. "You... a-are... my a-aunt?"
"Yes dear. My sister loves you. Biskara turned her love against us."
Shelby buried her head in Bianca's bosom as she wept.
"It's okay, my darling. It is over for now, and there is much to discuss." Bianca caressed Shelby's hair.
Shelby trembled in her aunt's arms, overwhelmed with emotions. Regardless, she was glad it was over. At last, she and the other Kin finally enjoyed their respite.
Meracuse stirred with activity as heroic tales flowed from every corner.
The Kin exchanged stories of their adventures inside their private lodgings. Chambermaids brought over jugs of libations and confections, while healer Beekman personally attended to the various cuts and scrapes of the Kin.
Bianca joined them. "The truth seekers defeated Biskara. He has fled the southern hemisphere for now."
Shelby nodded with glee and joined the others devouring cake, which was blissfully sweet after chewing so much chud. Any sort of real food tasted good after days spent running, hiding, drinking nothing but tea, and being terrified of the war.
Morgana stepped into the chamber. As healer Beekman cleaned out a cut on Zach's forehead, she gently retrieved the cloth from the healer's hand and continued cleansing the wound. Zach smiled.
Healer Beekman grinned and strode over to work on Max's sore ribs.
Shelby looked back to Bianca. "What now?"
"Lord Achernar is on his way to greet you. He already ordered a celebratory feast tomorrow evening. Tonight, we rest."
They sat and chatted, glad for the respite.
Throg entered their chamber. He collapsed onto a bench, inhaled a piece of white chocolate pastry, and chased it with blueberry ale. He smacked his lips and sighed. "Good cake."
A burly man burst into the room. He towered over them, wrapped in rich robes of blue satin. With h
ands on his hips, he scanned the Kin and beamed with a hearty grin as his long blond hair glistened. Shelby had never seen someone who emitted so much power and energy.
"Oh, impressive Kin, how proud we all are of you! Meridia thanks you from the bottom of its soul. I decided to order a wonderful feast to celebrate tomorrow, and you will be seated at my table with the Assembly."
Lord Achernar walked over to Throg and they exchanged a jovial hug. "Captain Throg, I would like you to join us as well. Your courage and loyalty once again shines through. I am off to be briefed on the state of the countryside. Meridia is in need of much repair, but please, rejoice and rest for now. I will revel with you on the morrow." He clapped his hands together with enthusiasm and exited the chamber.
For a moment, Shelby was baffled. Then she laughed and drank some blueberry ale. It was tart, thick, and wonderful. The others joined in.
Once their wounds had been tended to, the Kin explored their chambers. What they found made Shelby grin.
"Looky here. A steam room," Max called out. His hand was gingerly pressed to his side.
Riley bounded to another door, her hair whirling. "There's a huge mud bath, too!"
"These bathrooms are divine," Emily cooed. She brushed a strand of her long locks back.
The lavatories were riddled with gold and silver, the faucets adorned with diamonds. Trays of sweets were placed throughout the chambers along with glowing pitchers of ale, juice, and water. Clean clothing had been laid out for all of them, and each Kin had their own bedroom.
"I'm hitting the steam room," said Stuart.
Max rubbed his side "That should help my sore ribs out."
The girls decided on the mud bath. Shelby, Riley, Emily, and Morgana slipped into the rich, warm mire, and Zach joined them. Throg walked off for a shower, talking about how time in the wild had made him miss hot water and soft featherbeds.
Zach slid in deeper. "I've never had a mud bath before. Even back home. This is so relaxing."
Shelby hadn't thought of "home" in a while. She grew uneasy when she envisioned her father. She'd fought a war, saved a kingdom, and had grown almost five years in only a few days, yet the idea of returning to the beast still made her edgy.
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