Chosen Destiny (34 page)

He flinched and threw a bolt of magic back at her. She kept hammering at the

merdanons’
shield as well as his. Finally the shield in front of the first
merdanon
fell.

She looked over her shoulder and saw Jaeson and Grae still working over Samiel.

The damage had to be really bad to take this long to fix. She drew in a deep breath and

pushed her worry back. He had to be okay. She couldn’t think of any other option. She

couldn’t let her panic take over her mind. The battle with the man at the opposite end of

the street had to take first priority.

Facing the Dark Sorcerer, she advanced and pressed the other creation back.

Dropping to a knee, she took the power of the fallen beast. She shot a smile at the Dark

Sorcerer and stepped back. Fury hardened his face. He threw a bolt down the street. It

exploded as it slammed into the barrier in front of her. Meagan flinched at the blinding

light. As soon as her vision cleared, she slung two bolts down the street. The first hit the

Sorcerer’s shield and the second struck the shield of the second
merdanon
. The beast

lumbered forward. She knew that she and Farriss needed to keep the pressure on the

Dark Sorcerer. In the end, he’d have to make a choice to run or stay. She couldn’t tell

which he’d choose. So far he’d been arrogant and supremely confident. The only

emotion she could see on his face was anger.

“You’ll never win.” The Dark Sorcerer threw two bolts. They hit her shield, flared

and cascaded to the ground.

Meagan slung two blasts at him. She wasn’t going to respond to his taunt. It was a

distraction technique that she’d experienced before. Both balls of energy hit the Dark

Sorcerer’s shield. She didn’t wait to lob one at the
merdanon’s
shield. The creature’s fist

smashed into the wall of a house on its right. Light flashed as one of the Dark Sorcerer’s

orbs burst in front of her.

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“The village will fall and we’ll take that generator from the ruins of the coven.” The

Dark Sorcerer threw two orbs down the street. One hit the shield in front of her, the

other slammed into the shield in front of Farriss.

Meagan frowned. Something in what he said struck her. It was normal bragging,

but it caught her attention. She didn’t have time to work out which bit was something

more or why. Swinging her sword back and forth, she gathered power at the tip of the

blade. She slammed the magic down the street. It flared as it hit the shield in front of the

merdanon
. Farriss threw an orb and it took out the invisible wall protecting the creature.

Meagan followed with a blast that finished the beast. She stepped forward and took the

power from it.

What surprised her was that the Dark Sorcerer didn’t at least try to reclaim the

magic before she could pull it into her. He didn’t seem a bit concerned that she’d

recouped some of the energy she’d used. She threw a bolt of magic against his shield,

testing his determination. The Dark Sorcerer stood his ground and threw bolts back at

her. She really didn’t expect a straight magic against magic battle, but he didn’t try to

use any
merdanons
or
tandini,
even to make her use some power.

He began to form a mass of magic above him. Her shield was strong, but no way

was she letting him hurl that much energy at it. She lifted her dagger and threw it. She

planned to take his shield so that she could force him to make a decision to run or stay

and fight. A bolt of magic hit the protective barrier just before her blade reached it. She

saw the shield fail and her blade slam into the Dark Sorcerer’s shoulder. The magic

above him disappeared and she saw the Dark Sorcerer jerk spasmodically.

She had no idea what the weapon was doing to him. His eyes locked with hers as

he fell to his knees. She saw stark horror cross his face. His hands rose and grabbed the

hilt of the knife. As soon as he touched it, his hands flew away from it. That she fully

understood. Those not meant to touch the blades would experience a jolt of magic.

He dropped to the ground. His arms flopped and bounced as he hit. He looked

almost boneless as he fell, ending sprawled in the middle of the street. She took a

cautious step forward. The Dark Sorcerer didn’t move. Keeping her shield in front of

her, she approached the still form. She felt someone move beside her, but kept her full

attention on her fallen opponent. He could be faking trying to lure her close enough and

make her complacent so that she’d feel safe. She nudged his foot with the shield.

Nothing. Someone stepped in front of her. She saw a boot just before it pressed down

on the Dark Sorcerer’s wrist. She looked up and saw Jaeson. Just the sight of him

reassured her. She knew he’d finished helping Samiel. He wouldn’t have left the dragon

for any reason if he was still hurt.

“Well, get your dagger. We still have other Dark Sorcerers to take care of in the

town.” Samiel’s voice came from just to the side of her.

Her head snapped around and she smiled. Lunging for him, she threw her arms

around him and hugged him tightly. Her head nestled against his chest and she drew in

a deep breath. Holding him felt wonderful and just smelling his rich scent reassured her

as nothing else could.

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“I know you like me, but you need to get your dagger so we can secure him before

he regains consciousness.” Samiel gently pulled back.

She took a deep breath. He was right. Thoughts about the Dark Sorcerer at her feet

had completely flown from her mind. Surprise had been part of it, but relief and release

from the worry filling her mind were responsible for most of it. She pulled back,

kneeled and dropped her shield. Approaching a downed Dark Sorcerer was always

dangerous, but with those two she felt safe. She reached over and pulled her dagger

free of the Dark Sorcerer’s shoulder.

A wall of magic slammed into her from the blade. She nearly fell back as the power

rushed into her. When her dagger hit him, he must have been actively channeling

power. The dagger had drawn on it much as it would if she’d driven the blade into one

of his creations. From what she’d learned of the abilities of a
Tiria
, she’d known it was

possible. She’d just never thought it would happen. That was the reason she hadn’t

connected it at first.

Abilities like this were why some considered
Tirias
dangerous. Magic flowed

through a person as well as around them, especially when spellcasting. They feared that

the
Tiria
would use the ability to take someone’s power without regard to if that person

was good or evil. She rose and moved back. Jaeson gripped the man’s hands bringing

them together. Magic encircled the man’s wrists. Meagan knew that the spell would

bind the Dark Sorcerer’s powers as well as his hands.

She sent away the weapons and turned to face the men. Samiel smiled at her, but he

watched as Jaeson lifted the man to his feet.

“Now, Jaeson will take our friend to those who’ll guard him until the battle’s

finished. Hopefully he won’t be the only Dark Sorcerer we send away tonight.” Samiel

put a hand on her shoulder. “We’re needed near the coven.”

“Let’s go then. Are you sure you’re all right?” She looked at him worried. She knew

he was completely healed. Jaeson wouldn’t have stopped at anything less. Her only

questions were did he need power and was he ready to fight?

“I’m fine, Meagan. All I’d been doing was scouting before I was hit as I flew over.”

He ruffled her hair.

“Are you sure?” She looked up at him. There were many people who after being

hurt took a defensive role in battle.

He hooked an arm around her waist. His voice was a low irritated growl. “Stop

coddling me. When I need a rest, I’ll tell you.”

Before she could say another word to him, he lifted her off her feet. She grasped his

shoulders just as he stepped forward. She felt the pull of the tunnel and held on a little

tighter as they exited. Samiel took one step forward and then lowered her to her feet.

He still looked a little offended by her questions. She shook her head. He was just going

to have to live with her concern.

Glancing around, she noted he’d put them at the end of the street leading to the

coven. She could see the flash of magic ahead near the large building. She summoned

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her weapons and threw up a strong shield. She couldn’t see more than shadows at the

moment, but she was ready for attack. They began advancing slowly toward the battle.

A
merdanon
roar echoed down the street. Finally, they drew close enough to see

what was happening.
Merdanons
and
tandini
flanked an obviously female form. Meagan

could only see the back of the woman but she knew it was Doria. At least, she hoped it

was Doria. The thought of two Dark Sorceresses in the area was a little sickening. That

would mean two witches had turned traitor. She couldn’t understand one woman

doing it. The soft pressure of a hand rubbing her lower back tugged her attention away

from the thoughts.

“Is something wrong?” Samiel’s voice was soft and low.

“No, just a few thoughts troubling me. Nothing that’s important.” She shook her

head. It was the time between battles, that time to think that always gave her problems.

She couldn’t stop her mind from questioning and turning things over in her head.

“Well, now it’s time to work. Let’s inform this Dark Sorceress that she won’t be

getting into the coven.” Samiel tugged on her hair.

She grabbed her hair, pulling it free of his grasp and swung her blades slightly

gathering energy. Teasing dragon. That did reassure her that he was ready to battle. She

didn’t think she’d ever get the image of him sprawled on the ground in dragon form

out of her head. She swung her blade and sent a bolt of energy hurtling toward the

female attacking the coven. The ball of energy hit a shield. The magic flashed in the

darkness. The woman turned and Meagan could easily see that it was Doria.

“Hello, Doria. Are things a little more difficult than you planned?” Meagan smiled

as she walked down the street.

Doria looked stunned. “Nothing that will hold me for very long.”

“I think you’ll be leaving soon unless you choose to go down fighting.” Meagan

slung another bolt of energy at Doria’s shield

Samiel tossed a flaming ball down the street. It hit the shield and flared over it.

Meagan smiled at the showy move. He seemed relaxed. She slung another volley of

magic. She didn’t know how long Doria would stay to fight. A lot of it depended on

how desperate she was to get into the coven. Was she willing to risk her life and

freedom for it?

Meagan’s magic battered at Doria’s shield, but the woman didn’t seem to pay any

attention to it. Doria continued to slam balls of magic against the shield around the

coven. She didn’t taunt. She didn’t create
merdanons
and
tandini,
although Meagan

could see that there had been some used by the forms littering the ground near the

steps.

Meagan could tell when Doria’s power began to be stretched. The woman grew

tense and desperately tried to bring down the shield with a final volley of orbs. Doria

threw one harassed looked over her shoulder and jumped into a portal. Meagan walked

forward to take stock of the damage near the coven. The coven itself seemed untouched,

buildings around it hadn’t fared as well. There were chunks of wall missing and one

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building looked as if it was going to collapse at any moment. It could all be fixed. She

kneeled and took the power of the
merdanons
nearest to her. She was just surprised that

they were still here. From the way she’d attacked and the determination she’d shown,

Meagan knew the other woman would have called them back for the extra power. The

only reason she could think of for them still being there was that Doria hadn’t created

them.

Jaeson arrived. She could tell by his expression and the tension in his body that he

expected to find the battle still in progress. Once he realized it was over, he relaxed. She

saw him looking around and realized he must be looking for her and Samiel. Jaeson

came to stand near her.

“You still owe me an explanation.” She glanced over at him. “I expect to hear it as

soon as we get back home.”

“You will. If we don’t get distracted.” Jaeson glanced over to where Samiel was

checking one of the damaged buildings with one of the wizards.

“You won’t. I have plans. And if you cooperate, you can play too.” She grabbed his

shirt and tugged him close for a quick kiss.

“That sounds interesting.” His hand settled on her butt.

“It will be when we eventually get back to the lair. There’s still a lot of work to be

done,” she said on a sigh as she looked around the street.

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Samiel gently lowered Jaeson and Meagan to the ground outside the lair. For once