by F. L. Jordan
Agram paused briefly as she thought, sniffed, then nodded as she continued to set broken bones, quickly snapping Natalie’s nose into place before it could heal crooked, “He suggested that our covens meet more often.”
“You wanted to see Austin more,” Natalie reasoned. “He knew that and placed a seed on his words. Just like he did with me and the police academy. The more you saw Austin, the more that seed grew.”
“We need to get out of here, Pent,” she said with quiet urgency, her tears quelling as determination set in. “We need to stop him before he gets back.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Natalie looked up at her, the swelling in her face already subsiding. “I’ve missed you, Vivian.”
“Christ,” Agram sniffed, “don’t make me start crying again.”
She hauled Natalie to her feet. The freshly healed bone in her leg was weak, but stable enough for her to walk on. With every step she felt it getting stronger. The potion Agram had made was far beyond the legal potency limits.
Agram led her to the exit then paused. She looked Natalie over, her face screwing up in remorse. She pulled out her new wand and aimed it at her. Natalie backed up a few steps, unsure of what was about to happen.
"I can't let you go out covered in your own bodily fluids, Pent," Agram flicked her wrist and a weak stream of dark energy came out. "What's happening to my magic?"
Natalie sighed and headed for the door, "You've lost your disciples. As for what I look like, I’ve been in worse shape. We need to get out of here.” She grabbed Agram’s hand and started pulling her towards the door. The woman looked over her shoulder at the white markings painted on the concrete floor and jerked away from her grasp.
“The pentagram,” Agram shouted, running to the other side of the room where several paint cans were haphazardly deposited. “I’ve already recited the spell, all Daniel needs is another sacrifice from a lover and he’ll be able to complete the summoning on his own. We need to alter the pentagram!”
Natalie groaned, hating that the woman was right. She rushed over to help her. Most of the cans were empty or the paint within them had dried beyond usability. They found one that was half full and cracked the lid open. Natalie turned with it, ready to toss the paint onto the floor. A gunshot rang out, reverberating through the empty room and the can fell from her hands, spilling the paint just inches short of being effective. Pain ripped through her chest as she fell to her knees.
Daniel lowered his gun and strode towards them, his eyes wild with blood lust and fury. Natalie could feel the remaining potion within her working against the bullet wound. She decided to lay down and pretend to die, hoping he’d leave her alone long enough for the injury to heal. To her delight and horror, he did.
“You know, Vivian,” his voice was low and sinister, “I was going to save this as a special offering to appease the dark angel, but now you’ve pissed me off.”
“What are you talking about, Daniel?” Agram backed away from him fearfully as he put his gun away.
He drew a curved dagger from inside his suit jacket and grabbed for her, pulling Agram back by her hair, “Hold still! It will only hurt a little.” He’d begun to laugh.
Agram screamed as he spun her, holding her securely by her ponytail, “Daniel, please! It’s your own child!”
“That makes the sacrifice more powerful,” he laughed harder as he drove the blade into her abdomen. He knew exactly where to strike to end the unborn’s life. The moment the dagger hit its mark the pentagram began to glow with a blood red aura. He chuckled with insane delight, tossing Agram aside as his amusement grew into maniacal laughter.
Natalie’s heart raced at the sight before her. A thick black mist had begun to form just inches above the ground, swirling and growing rapidly as the light from the pentagram’s lines increased. She watched her spilled blood lift from the floor, vaporizing into pure magical essence that was sucked into the mist. Agram’s blood was doing the same. She needed to act, she needed to do something, but what? Daniel would surely kill her if she tried to stand.
Glass broke from a window behind her and Daniel’s laughter ceased. Natalie smiled when her eyes lighted upon the small hole in the man’s forehead. As his corpse fell to the ground she jumped up, grabbing Agram and dragging the wounded woman to her feet. The dagger clattered to the floor as they ran.
Zach’s heart threatened to destroy his ribcage as he watched the women flee the building through his scope. He’d just gotten the rifle into position when Daniel had stepped out of the line of fire. Watching the bastard beat Natalie had nearly killed him. He’d stopped himself from sending the onwaiting dragon army into the building at least six times. When the son of a bitch had returned to attack the blonde he’d hoped to make the shot before Corvis was able to complete the summoning, but of course, Zach had no such luck. At least Natalie was alive.
Satisfied that they were a safe distance from the building, Zach gave the signal to Verde to light the explosives they’d spent the morning placing. It wouldn’t stop the summoning, but it could buy them some time. He set the rifle down and leapt from the rooftop, landing on the next building over with ease. As he ran towards the unfolding disaster Copper flew on ahead. His mission was originally to direct Natalie to safety. Now it was to see what she would need to combat the demon king and relay the information to Zach.
Natalie, run! Copper called to her as he swooped down. The building is going to blow!
Natalie bent and tossed Agram over her shoulder, grunting under the woman’s weight, and ran the best she could. She ducked behind another building just as the explosion went off. The vibration of the blast broke the windows above them, sending a shower of broken glass down. Natalie dropped Agram and staggered out into the street to survey the damage.
A massive grey skinned hand burst from the smoking rubble, its clawed fingers extending towards the sky before slamming down only a few yards away from them. As the dark angel’s massive head exited the portal he let out a roar that shook the earth.
Natalie couldn’t move, fear locked her into place. Someone was talking, but she didn’t hear them. All she could focus on was the enormous set of ram horns that were erupting from the ruins of the building she’d just been in.
She’s in shock! Copper shouted as Zach landed on the ground next to them. He snapped his fingers in front of her glazed eyes and called her name. Nothing. He grabbed her, kissing her deeply until her body responded to him.
She blinked, sucking in a deep breath as he pulled away from her, cupping her face, “Hey, look at me. Natalie, the entire city is behind you. Even the witches in the countryside are locked in supplication right now. Can you feel them?” When she didn't respond he gave her a gentle shake, ignoring the monster behind them, “Natalie! Can you feel them?”
She closed her eyes, snapping her fingers. The second her wand was in her grip her body began to flow with the magical energy provided by her supporters. The enormity of it was nearly maddening. Natalie opened her eyes and nodded, drawing confidence from Zach’s encouraging expression.
He kissed her softly as the enormous demon slammed his other hand into the earth and began pulling himself free from the depths of hell, “Tell me what you need.”
She took a deep steadying breath and turned towards the horrific sight, “Holy water, and a fuck ton of it.”
Zach grabbed the walkie talkie on his hip, relaying the information to Amber. As the fabric of his jacket swayed from the movement, Natalie felt the presence of an ancient being who could definitely help them.
“Zach,” her eyes never left the monster that was now towering over the city as it tried to pull its goat-like legs free of the pentagram, “what’s in your pocket?”
He pulled the wand out and she smiled, “Copper, have you ever wanted to be a big boy?”
Do it, Zach, the little dragon nodded to his human.
“I don’t know how,” he admitted.
“Just point it and think what you want,” Natalie sta
rted running towards her enormous opponent, “Magna will do the rest!”
Zach nodded and did exactly as she said. A burst of red magic exploded from the wand, sinking into Copper’s hide as he took flight. Zach watched in amazement as his little companion grew from the size of a house cat into a dragon that could easily topple a quarter of the city with a single swish of his tail. He was beyond grateful that the gangs had spent the last twenty-four hours evacuating the city. All of the witches had gathered in the country on the opposite side of the city where they could engage in the invocation with little risk of injury.
Hey! Don’t forget about us! Zach turned in shock to find Slag flying towards him, Verde in tow.
“Slag? What the hell are you doing here?” he caught the small creature, quickly examining her as Verde landed on his shoulder.
If you think I’m going to lay in a hospital while my Natalie fights to save the world you’re nuts! she hissed at him. I’m fighting by her side one way or another, Zach. Now make me big!
Same here, Verde chimed in, his yellow eyes gleaming with a fiery excitement.
“Alright,” he held the wand steady, watching as Copper blasted the enormous demon with a powerful burst of flames, knocking it back into its hole a little. Three dragons and a witch queen, they might actually be able to pull this off. He waved the magic stick at the two street dragons as they took flight, then held up his hand.
Slag, pick me up, she obeyed, circling back through the air to swoop in and grab him. She tossed him into the air and he landed on her back. Zach grabbed onto the raised scales over her spine and worked to stay clear of her wings as she raced towards the fight.
Natalie watched the dragons, feeling the rush of wind as they flew overhead. Her heart swelled with joy when she realized that her Slag wasn’t dead. The sight of her companion steeled her resolve even more and she gripped her wand tightly, sprinting to join the fray.
Zach watched Verde jump on Satan’s head, knocking the demon off balance and back into the portal just as he’d gotten a cloven hoof free. Copper blasted the demon with white hot flame as Verde spun, spitting black venom at the offending creature. To his surprise, Satan cried out, swinging a giant fist towards Copper. Zach feared for his dragon, but the giant lizard jumped into the air out of the demon’s reach. He felt Slag vibrate beneath him as she sucked air into her gills. The feeling of her fire leaving her powerful body was beyond exhilarating to him. As the green flame struck the monster it cried out in pain. Zach noticed that Slag’s fire had completely melted one of the demon’s horns.
It’s a purifying flame, a deep, gravelly female voice filled his mind and he looked down at the wand in his hand. Tell her to keep doing it.
Magna? he asked, already knowing the answer. The ancient spirit gave her reply by amplifying Slag’s strength via his energy.
What was that? Slag asked, feeling the rush of power.
“Don’t worry about it,” Zach called to her. “Just blast the son of a bitch!”
You got it! Her flame was three times larger than last time, melting the grey flesh from the left side of Satan’s rancid face. The demon roared, aiming his hand at them. A large black ball of crackling energy exploded from the center of his palm and Zach braced for the impact.
Natalie fired off a blast of her own from below, her white magic neutralizing the demon’s attack before it could hit her dragon. She then focused another shot directly at the creature, hitting him in the chest. Her magic created a large crater in the monster’s flesh. Copper used the opportunity to pounce on Satan’s head, forcing his torso back into hell.
Four helicopters marked with a neighboring county’s forest fire control emblem flew over her head and Natalie smiled. Amber had pulled through on the holy water with haste. She reached out to Zach.
Tell them to drop it once we get him back into the portal, she fired on the demon again as Slag blasted him.
Yes ma’am! Zach responded before relaying the request to Amber. The helicopters ceased their advance and hovered nearby. Zach leaned into Slag and commanded the dragons to hit Satan with everything they had. They all fired onto the demon at the same time. A golden beam of light struck from below and he looked down to see Natalie completely enveloped in magic energy.
He gripped the wand in his hand and spoke to the dragon within it, Want to help out?
Magna responded and the black bone shard pulled his energy from him, magnifying it into a powerful red aura that burst from the wand as he pointed it. When his magic struck the demon, Satan roared, falling back into the abyss beyond the pentagram. The dragons backed off and Zach called for the helicopters to move in. The first one dropped its load of holy water just as the monster attempted to come back through, causing the demon to release a cry that shifted the earth.
Zach watched in horror as the pavement around Natalie cracked and separated. He called out to the dragon closest to her, Copper!
I got her! the beast bounded over to her, scooping her up just as the ground disappeared beneath her feet.
Natalie watched as the chasm grew, swallowing several buildings in its path. She caught a glimpse of blonde hair glinting in the sun as the building behind which Agram had been laid fell into the earth. She didn’t want to believe it, but the Dark Witch Queen was gone. Natalie sighed and turned towards the pentagram just as the last helicopter dropped its load. The priest who had blessed the water must have been strong in their devotion, because the entrance to hell was completely gone. The only proof that it had ever existed lay in the perfect white paint of the pentagram that glared up at them from the rubble.
Set me down, Copper, she hugged his massive talon, so I can destroy the mark.
The dragon obeyed, gently placing her in the center of the pentagram as he landed gracefully beside it. Natalie called upon the power of her kin, erasing the paint and reversing the damage done with a long, graceful wave of her wand. She thanked them for their loyalty and let them know that the battle was over. Thousands of witches on the other side of town cheered, hugging each other joyously, coven rivalries and differences of lifestyles completely forgotten.
Slag landed beside the rebuilt building just as Natalie walked out of it. Zach slid from the dragon’s back and ran towards her, scooping the woman up. She laughed, happy tears flowing freely from her eyes as he carried her back towards Slag.
“What are you doing?” Natalie asked as she clung to him.
He set her into the dragon’s open claw and crawled in beside her, “Taking you home.”
As Slag took off, Zach waved his wand, returning Copper and Verde to normal. The two dragons quickly caught up with them. Copper crawled into Natalie’s arms for a hug as Verde introduced himself. She recognized him as the creature that had broken Agram’s wand. She thanked him for his help and promised to meet with him again before he flew off to be with his flock.
Within a few beats of her massive wings, Slag had reached Zach’s apartment. She carefully landed in the street, setting her small family down in front of the building’s steps and waited patiently. Zach quickly returned her to her normal size and laughed as she jumped into his arms.
“I don’t know about you guys,” Natalie spoke, exhaustion thick in her voice, “but a shower and some sleep sounds wonderful right now.”
Zach dug his keys out of his pocket and climbed the steps, “I can’t blame you for that. How badly are you hurt?”
“I’ll be ok,” she followed him lethargically. Now that the energy of the other witches was gone, the mental toll that had been inflicted over the last three days was catching up to her. She was grateful that Agram’s potion had healed her physical wounds. Even more so, she was grateful that the woman had regained clarity before she died.
Natalie’s tired limbs failed her and she stumbled as they stepped into the apartment, accidentally dropping Copper as she caught herself. The little dragon didn’t seem to mind, recovering from the fall flawlessly. He was more worried about her.
Zach, help her, the
little creature watched helplessly from the floor.
Zach set Slag on the counter and scooped Natalie up in his arms. He carried her to the bathroom and helped her undress, tossing her trashed uniform into the wastebin as she entered the shower. He was going to let her do it on her own, but as he moved to leave she fell against the shower wall. He sighed and stripped down to his underwear, knowing she was going to need a lot of help.
Natalie barely responded to his touch as he moved her onto the handicap bench within the shower, an item he’d refused to use himself after his mother had insisted on its installation. He turned the water on, testing the temperature before removing the shower head from its holder. Zach set about washing the blood from her hair first, examining her face as he did.
He realized that this was the first time he truly got to look at her, to see the woman who had been able to break down every single one of his protective barriers within a remarkably short time. She looked like the young woman who had been at the academy with him, but more mature. Her lovely round face had smile lines, crows feet, and stress creases between her brows. Her once thin, girlish frame had rounded out into a beautiful athletic body with wrinkles, stretch marks, and scars. A body that Zach carefully cleaned and cared for as she slept, completely passed out from exhaustion.
After he’d successfully tucked Natalie into bed, Zach walked out into the rest of the apartment. He wasn’t surprised in the least to find their dragons asleep as well. The two of them were curled up in a complicated tangle of wings, tails, and legs within Copper’s bed. Zach quietly checked on them, smiling as Copper made a few cute squeaking sounds in his sleep.
He grabbed a bottle of water from his fridge and stood beside his living room window, looking out at the city below. The streets teemed with life as people returned to their homes. Many of them probably thought it had all been a prank or some strange test the city was conducting. The majority of humans were guaranteed to be angry that their daily lives had been disrupted. People were always ungrateful for being kept safe when their own lives were inconvenienced. He sighed, chugged the water, and grabbed his phone from the counter.