Page 85 of Witch's Fate

Cowards. They possessed immense power, but they were cowards.

“Bruxa’s Eye,” she called, her voice strong despite her fear. “The High Witches fight from afar for their own safety—to wield their magic to destroy our greater numbers. Our home. They are cowards. Whatever they bring us, we will destroy.”

A cheer rose, vibrating through the village. The courage and willingness of her friends and neighbors emboldened her. She might be fated to die here today, but they would win. They had to.

19

“Be ready,” Sofia called. The water was nearer. Ever rising.

Four Mytheans appeared on the big dock that made up the main part of the wharf. Two figures she didn’t recognize, but also a small blond woman and a tall red-haired man that made hope surge in Sofia’s chest.

Ana and Cam, two Celtic gods who she had once helped and who Aurora had promised to find for her. In addition to being a Celtic god of war, Cam had been a riverboat captain on the Amazon for years, regularly pulling into Bruxa’s Eye. Sofia was grateful they’d come to help and that they’d brought reinforcements.

Ana and Cam glanced around at the water, then raced toward them, their comrades at their sides. Bows and quivers were strapped to their backs.

They stopped before Sofia.

“I take it this is where the battle is going down?” the petite blond goddess asked.

“Yes. Thank you for coming.”

Ana nodded. “You helped us when we were in trouble. We owe you.”

“We’ve brought help,” Cam said. He nodded at the strapping, dark-haired man next to him who clutched a sword in his big fist. “This is Cadan. A Mythean Guardian from the university.” He nodded toward the red-haired woman. “And his mate, Diana, the reincarnate of Boudica.”

Sofia’s brow’s rose. Boudica might be an ancient British warrior queen, but she’d been powerful enough that even Sofia knew of her. “Thank you for coming. The water is rising and bringing—”

The dark surface of the river began to bubble and clouds formed overhead, dark and ominous. The four additions to their army turned to face the water.

The roiling surface rose past the normal water line, drowning the docks. Horrifying figures began to rise from the water, bedraggled skeletons dripping with decayed flesh and river weeds. Some were more decayed than others. All were awful.

“Zombies?” Ana asked.

“The reanimated dead,” Sofia whispered. The river had receded, picking up all those who had drowned and bringing them here. Breathing new life into them.

Ana and Cam drew their bows at the same time Sofia drew her wand. They fired arrows and she fired flame. The three monsters that they hit burst into a shower of water.

Hope welled in Sofia’s chest. They could beat them.

A second later, others formed in their place. The same? Different? They lurched across the surface of the water, headed toward them. Others crawled out at the shore, some with gaping holes in their skulls searching sightlessly fortargets. Others had decayed eyes that looked as if they no longer worked.

Would they come indefinitely or could they be defeated?

There was nothing to do but fight. As the clouds above cracked with thunder and rain began to fall, Sofia raised her wand and yelled, “Now!”

She charged toward the river, toward the enemy and certain death, Kitty at her side. Her comrades roared and followed. Sofia shot flames from her wand as fae arrows flew and wolves lunged at the corpses, tearing out throats and shattering those that were more bone than decayed flesh. They all splashed to the ground as water.

Horrified, Sofia watched the water flow back into the river and reform as a new corpse that climbed forth. Through it all, the water continued to rise, nearing the first row of buildings. Her boots sloshed in the water and rain soaked her cloak.

Sodden, she tore it off and flung it to the ground, revealing the black pants and shirt she wore underneath. Although she still looked like an old Crone, her strength remained normal.

A scream sounded to the right. Blood spurted from the shoulder of a tall male vampire. A bedraggled skeleton threw the vampire’s arm to the side and fell upon him again.

They were strong. Desperately so, if they could tear the arm off a full-grown vampire.

And the water was rising.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Ana and Cam, their bows now strapped to their backs and their hands outstretched toward the river. Light gleamed from their palms, spreading out to form a force field. The water recededfrom in front of them, extending out a hundred feet on either side.

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