Enemies Allied

by Serena Lindahl

  Finally, Eli paused. Mac took a second to catch her ragged breath as she prepared her magic. Eli cut and chanted under his breath, his hand grabbing hers again. His skin was warm, but it wasn't a pleasant warmth. The burn made her whimper. Her magic responded automatically, zapping the blood prophet in pure reflex. Nothing happened, though. Her magic fizzled the moment it came to life. Shock filled her as Eli dragged her into the next room.

  A man, surrounded by ten cyborgs with glowing red eyes, waited for them. He was taller than she'd expected him to be, his bearing dignified and proud. Hazel eyes gleamed in the dim light. Mac sucked in a breath. His resemblance to his children was obvious. His high cheekbones and bronzed skin held the usual wrinkles of an old man, but he didn't look evil, not really. She'd expected his appearance to reflect the darkness in his soul. He stared, his eyes boring into her body as if he could see her soul and judged her lacking.

  "Ah, son, how nice of you to bring the null to me.”

  Mac grasped desperately for her magic, but it fizzled again. She struggled against the blood prophet. "It's no use, my dear. Elijah has neutralized your magic."

  Eli didn't deny it, and her heart sank into her stomach. Betrayal. Her fear and anger sent Lightning into attack mode; he jumped at Eli, snarling and snapping at the arm that held her.

  Lightning bit down hard. Eli shoved him back with a blue spark. Lightning fell to the floor, and Mac cried out. Her mental connection with the cat still held, but it felt tenuous at best.

  Eli's ruined arm leaked blood onto Mac, but the tooth punctures and broken skin pulled together within seconds. "Put her over there," Mather ordered. The blood prophet, the one she'd trusted, dragged her into a cage.

  Mac automatically pulled on her magic, but something in the structure kept her magic fully contained. She screamed like a banshee, grasping the bars. They burnt her hands, and she sprang back with a hiss of pain.

  "Why?" she cried, cradling her hands to her chest. Tears glimmered in her eyes. She knelt in the cage, putting all her weight on her unhurt knee.

  Regret sparked in Eli’s eyes momentarily before it disappeared. He looked at Mather.

  "My sister," Eli said, his voice dark and raspy. "Promise me you'll harm her no more."

  Mac knew what was happening. Eli sacrificed her to save his sister.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Eden

  Miles away, Eden suddenly screamed loud and long, twitching on the couch where Alec held her. She collapsed into his arms, tears streaming down her face. “No,” she sobbed, “no, no, no, no…” Her gaze, nearly golden with the vision that still flashed behind her eyes, looked up at her lover.

  “Eli betrayed us,” she sobbed. “He gave Mac to Mather.”

  Alec gasped, his arms around her tightening like a vice. Eden pulled on his comforting aura, drawing the smooth gray tech energy into her soul. It soothed the burning magic that raged like fire through her veins. Her mind hopelessly grappled with the impossibility of what she'd seen.

  “I have to tell Alena,” she croaked, her throat raw.

  Alec held her tightly, allowing her to take his comfort and energy. She opened up her connection to Alena and sent the images to her other lover. Her expression crumpled with fear and betrayal.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Jenira

  Jenira's body dripped sweat as she spun and whirled through the air. She wept blood from a myriad of cuts where the beasts had grabbed her and raked their sharp, metal talons across her flesh. Several remained, but between her, Davin, and Alena, they had managed to take down most of the unnatural creatures. Zar had also contributed, pushing the beasts into his mage's fire or distracting them while the warriors tore them apart.

  Jenira gripped her dual swords tighter, flying up in the air and then down, crisscrossing the swords so that they sliced through the harsh metal sinews of the automaton before her, severing his head from his body.

  "No!" Alena cried abruptly. Jenira ran to her side, pushing away a cyborg that wanted to take advantage of her temporary disability to push forward. The redhead struggled to stand. An energy bolt had burned a hole through her pants. The skin underneath was red and raw.

  Gunshots rang out as Davin sheltered them from the other side. The bullets, and even her blades, had been mostly useless until Eden told Alena to shoot for the eyes. Every beast possessed ocular sensors in its head, and it seemed to be their only sense. After eliminating its sight, it stumbled around blindly. Occasionally, they released random bolts of energy they still had to dodge, but it allowed the warriors to focus on the most dangerous threats.

  All the humans were dead; they'd been the easy kills. At first, they'd sought only to disable the humans. When they regained consciousness, though, they renewed their attack. The warriors were left with no choice but to dispatch them. Their bodies bled onto the floor, creating slick patches that the cyborgs sometimes slipped in. The air crackled with sizzling energy. The smell of blood, metal, and magic combined to make the atmosphere heavy and oppressive.

  "Alena?" Jenira asked, her voice raw as she shoved her blade through the head of the automaton in front of her. It whined with a metal gasp. Jenira pushed again, hitting the other eye. She kicked it in the chest, causing it to fly back into its buddies with the scrape of steel and sizzle of magic.

  "He has Mac," Alena gasped, gripping her head. "Eli gave her up."

  Davin tilted his head back and roared in anger, the sound reverberating around them. "Where is he?"

  Alena closed her eyes again and pointed down a side hall. "There," she said, slowly rousing from the vision and releasing a lick of flame on an automaton that crept toward them.

  The three headed for the corridor, Zar following them. The huge animal was wounded, too. Loud, clanking footsteps stopped their progress. A huge monster emerged from the door next to the corridor that led to Mac.

  The horrifying creature was a fusion of metal, wires, and flesh. The head was bulbous and malformed, the body three times the size of anything they'd yet encountered. Two spindly arms sprouted from its torso, and it walked on eight sharp, steel legs like a spider. It hunted them with a singular purpose.

  Jenira's mouth dropped open when it roared. She felt the magic being ripped out of the remaining cyborgs and gathering in the center of the monster. The automatons crashed to the ground, twitching before falling still. All that remained was the dangerous monster.

  The three of them formed a line, and Jenira created a shield. She released a dagger, but it bounced harmlessly off the bright metal eye centered in its head. The air around it crackled with magical and electrical energy.

  "Weaknesses?" Jenira shouted to her team. The two beside her were quiet, offering no help.

  Alena created a gust of air, but the beast countered by digging its sharp feet so deep into the flagstones that stone splintered around them. It took a step forward, one of its claws digging into a prone automaton. The automaton, speared on its foot, clanked against the floor as the monster continued forward.

  Davin shot, aiming for the eye and the chest. The bullets ricocheted, and he threw down his empty gun in frustration. Alena blasted fire towards it. The beast staggered, but it didn't go down.

  "Cover me!" Jenira screamed and ran forward even as Davin commanded her to stop. She bounded up one of the spindly legs before it could spear her. It tried to shake her off, but she clung tightly. Her daggers sank into its legs, and she used them as anchors as she continued to climb. Heat blasted her as Alena continued to send fireballs roaring toward its face and back legs.

  The sharp metal bit into Jenira's flesh. At the point where the torso met the legs, she searched for some sort of weakness. Her daggers sparked as they sliced wires, but the beast didn't slow. Davin grabbed one of the other legs, his impressive strength snapping off the bottom section of one its legs. The creature stumbled, nearly sending her flying to the floor. The Magitech continued his assault on another leg as Jenira aimed for the head and neck area - usually where they
were weakest.

  She paused on its massive chest. Something glowed beneath its thick metal armor; it was a radiant ball that sparkled with magical energy and power - its heart. She wished Cat were here. She'd lost contact with her sister the moment they entered the building.

  A metal arm started to dig into her side, attempting to pluck her from her position. She pulled her sword, slicing into the nearest appendage. Energy sparked, burning her skin where the embers fell. Another arm slammed into her back, nearly cracking her spine with the force. She cried out in pain and heard Davin's roar as darkness edged in on her vision. He jumped and started climbing to her aid.

  The beast danced around, attempting to throw them both off. Choosing her spelled dagger, she pierced the metal over the chest. The monster’s scream nearly deafened them. She ignored it and pushed away the distracting pain that stabbed through her shoulders and neck every time she moved.

  With single minded purpose, she hacked at the heavy armor shielding the precious energy center. When she'd breached the last layer, the magic blazed with an intensity that caused her to lose her grip and slide down the torso of the beast. She blinked, blinded by the light in its chest cavity, and started to struggle when strong arms encircled her.

  "Shh," hummed a voice she knew as well as her own.

  She collapsed against Davin, reveling in his brute strength for a moment. "Not done yet," she gasped, trying to pull herself back to that glimmering ball of magic. But Davin wouldn't be swayed. She couldn't fight his hold.

  "Let Alena do it and stop fighting me," Davin growled.

  Jenira paused. She blinked again, trying to clear the white dots from her vision.

  "Alena!" Davin roared. A great vibration sent their bodies tumbling toward the floor. The massive warrior rolled so that he took the brunt of the fall. Jenira jerked her head up to see bright flames roar toward the beast, sinking deep into its opened chest. They simmered within like a banked fire, gaining heat and brightness.

  "Cover!" Alena screamed. Davin threw his body over Jenira's as a blast rocked the room. Metal and wires flew through the air as the explosion tore the metal beast apart. Parts rattled to the concrete. Davin grunted as several hit him in the back. She tried to throw a shield up but she was too weak; her body was too sore.

  The sound settled into an echoing silence. Jenira shoved at Davin, her hands traveling his body to check his wounds. Blood slicked his back and spilled from his head, but he refused any assistance. With a cocky grin, he lifted his head to look at her. "You can feel me up later, darling. Let's go save my niece."

  She smiled with relief and planted a firm kiss on his lips before scrambling to her feet. Her body hurt in so many places. She swayed, relieved and irritated when Davin straightened her. She hated feeling like this.

  Blood matted Alena's red hair, and her clothes were tattered and ripped. Zar licked himself, shook his body, and stumbled to his feet. The four limped toward the corridor, renewed purpose fueling their muscles. Blood trailed behind them. After the noise of the fight, their ears rang with the lack of sound. Alena directed them, drawn by Eden's instructions and Mather's location.

  Jenira squared her shoulders. As much as she wanted to collapse in a useless heap, they weren't done yet.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Mac

  Mac crouched in the middle of the cage, careful not to touch any of the bars. Lightning lay next to her. He was unconscious, but not dead. What was Eli's motive? Her scrambled brain couldn't make the connection. He knew Mather would still imprison or kill his sister even if he gave Mac up. She frowned as she tried to focus on their conversation.

  "Always the good big brother," Mather sneered. "Unfortunately, your sister is too important. However, I might consider something since you brought me the null."

  Mac glared at Eli, trying to burn him with her gaze. She kept reaching for her magic. It remained within her, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't force it out of her. Her hands even refused to glow.

  Eli's eyes darted to her waist and Mac frowned. Was he trying to tell her something? She felt for the dagger on her belt. It wouldn't do any good. The magic stretched between the bars too, so she couldn't stick her hand out of the cage.

  "What more could you possibly want?" Eli demanded, his rasping voice harsh. "You've had me and the power of my blood. You may have it again if you just leave Eden alone."

  Something clicked in Mac's brain. She looked down at her arm, frowning. Eli had given her his blood when he'd saved her. Even now, she could feel the power of her blood beating in time to his. She flicked a look at the mage and the Magitech. Surely he didn't expect her to use his blood for his power? She didn't know any of the spells.

  "Ah, now that might be a worthy trade. Tell you what, I'll keep you and your sister, and let this pretty one go. How about that?"

  Mather's gaze flicked to her and Mac squirmed. He was a snake, intent on eating her alive. The dishonesty practically oozed from his words; the evil darkness coated his skin and saturated the air. Her grip tightened on the dagger she'd pulled from her waist.

  Mather smiled at the weapon. "Now, what do you think you're going to do with that?" Mather asked, laughing in amusement.

  Mac's lips tightened. She hated this man - this beast who claimed to be human. The anger roiled in her body and Eli's blood simmered in response.

  She flicked her eyes to Eli and he nodded almost imperceptibly, holding his arm out so she could see the fresh cuts that had already closed. Mac took a deep breath and looked back at Mather. Anger blazed in her stormy grey eyes like the beginning of a thunderstorm. She focused her intent on escaping the cage and killing the Magitech. The dagger sliced into her skin, releasing her blood that still combined with the blood prophet’s.

  Droplets fell to the floor and sizzled like Eli's. She silently willed the bars to disappear. She stared harder, becoming frustrated when nothing happened and her arm continued to bleed. She was beginning to despair when the metal suddenly flickered and disappeared.

  Mather's eyes widened, but Mac didn't give him time to respond. She leapt on him, her magic again free, and pressed her hand against his chest. She released her power, strengthening it with the intent not just to strip him of his Magitech abilities but to kill him. The need burned within her: the need to see his eyes go blank with death, the need to feel his body stop moving forever. The smell of burning flesh filled the room as Mather roared and commanded his automatons forward.

  Mac swung out her other hand, releasing a bolt of magical energy directly into the automaton that approached. Her blood mingled with her magic. Her reflection in Mather's gaze showed her eyes glowing blue. His eyes bulged and he gasped for air. She forced her magic into him until his skin turned blue. Accompanied by a sickening smell and the sound of bones crunching, her power tore through him. The robe he wore deflated as life left him, and his gaze stared sightlessly at the ceiling.

  Mac stared down at him a moment, ensuring he was dead. Her back arched as a sizzling bolt of energy rocked into her. It crackled along the wires in her vest, causing her hair to stand up, but luckily she didn't lose consciousness. She sprang up, swaying unsteadily as the loss of blood and magic affected her.

  Eli attacked the automatons nearest her. His blood spilled as the robots disappeared in poofs of green smoke and settled into gray ash. Mac fired bolts of energy into the ones still standing. Their wires sparked before they fell to the floor with a clang of metal. Finally, they were alone.

  Eli sank to his knees. "Sorry," he rasped, "it was the only way."

  Mac ran to him, holding his body in her arms. She shook him, heedless of his injuries. "What do you mean?" she screamed into his face.

  "The only way to beat him. The cage - he had to think you were contained; it was the only way to give you time. Blood magic and null power - it had to be a combination. Nothing else could defeat him."

  "So you planned to give me your blood?" she shrieked, the adrenaline of the fight still simmering thro
ugh her veins.

  He blinked once, his eyes darkening before his body fell limp in her arms.

  Mac shook him again. "Don't die on me, you asshole." His arms were crisscrossed with numerous wounds and they weren't closing as fast as they should. Sound alerted her to the corridor. She lifted her arm, ready to blast whatever came through the door.

  Luckily, Jenira threw a shield up when she rounded the corner. The four bloody, battered figures limped into the room. Jenira checked Mather's prone body. "Dead," she confirmed.

  The remembrance of the overwhelming power, the encompassing need to kill that had momentarily turned her into a monster made Mac's body shake.

  Davin stalked toward her. "That bastard! He betrayed us." Davin drew his blade, pointing it at Eli's unconscious body.

  Mac shook her head. "No. It was part of a plan. I needed to do blood magic to stop Mather. It's all right, Uncle."

  Davin lifted cold eyes to her face, searching her for injuries. His lips tightened as they noted her bleeding arm. "It was wrong - planned or not."

  "You did blood magic?" Alena asked with surprise, coming closer.

  Mac shrugged. The gesture created pain which sparked through her. "I don't know, really. I cut myself and made the cage disappear, and then I killed Mather." Mac's eyes lost their luster, her body chilling as the adrenaline faded.

  "Come on, we need to get out of here. There might be more. We can't fight anymore." Jenira signaled Davin to grab Mather's computer - probably for Cat to look at. It seemed funny that a powerful, evil man had a typical laptop that could be fried with mage energy.

  They stumbled and groaned as they stood. Mac's body screamed with pain and the expenditure of all the magic she'd released.