Page 42 of A Bloodline Redeemed

Chapter 23

Andy

Bellawentstillassuddenly as she had fallen, the convulsions giving way abruptly to deathly stillness.Gasps and shouts rose as the nearest rebels tried to get to their leader, only to be blocked by a circle of powerful witches from ancient family lines, brimming with dark power.

My pulse thundered through my body, but as I stared at the unmoving form of my sister, wondering if I was about to truly become the only surviving Lovell, my mind went still with sudden clarity.The cultists thought they had won.They thought by getting rid of the rebel leader and finally pulling out their top magic users to face us, they would force us to stand down.But I still had an ace up my sleeve.One who would be very happy to meet the cause of all this carnage.

Clasping my hands together, I channeled my magic to the summoning rune on my palm.

For a moment, nothing happened, and we all stood there, staring at each other in the charged silence, each side waiting for the other to make the first move.The cultists waiting for me to surrender or be stupid enough to finally join them.The rebels and my lovers waiting for me to give the signal to unleash our full strength.

It wouldn’t happen.I wouldn’t let myself or the people I loved dip so far into power and darkness that we forgot who we were and what we stood for.Then we’d be no better than the cultists.No better than my evil ancestors.

But for a second there I wondered, if no one answered my call, would I do it?

I was saved from my soul searching by a blinding flash of white light as a portal opened in front of me.A dozen angels swarmed out, their glowing wings of energy spread, and flaming swords held ready.

The stupid O’Leary prime hadn’t been expectingthat.I could see her eyes widen even across the distance between us.Then she scowled and shouted an order to her people.

“Well,” I said impatiently, gesturing from—crap, I didn’t even know hisname—um,High Ophanimto the cultists.“Those are the people in charge of this whole mess.Have at ‘em.”

He gave me an unimpressed look, but just as he turned away, I saw the smirk that lifted one corner of his chiseled lips.I had a feeling the dude was excited to have a reason to fight.He lifted an arm and waved his soldiers forward.

It was a small force of angels, sure, but I knew the High Ophanim was acting on his own, without official support.And I also knew what just one high level angel was capable of.The cultists didn’t stand a chance.

That didn’t mean they were about to surrender, though.Nasty spells flared to life as the angels and the cultists clashed.The remaining rebel troops hung back, ready to jump into the fray if the angels failed, but wise enough to know that they were no match for the enemies before them.Most of the rebels were low on magic and power.They were the magical outcasts, the “weaker” of society.It was why the cultists thought they were best suited to be servants and slaves.But still, they were here, and they were ready to jump into the fight again whenever they were needed.

My own people weren’t so hesitant.We joined the angels in a second wave, quickly handling any cultists that slipped through their line of “holy” destruction.

The fight was almost over before it began.The most powerful of the cult members were quickly reduced down to the prime and a shifty-eyed male witch that stuck close to her side.They were currently hiding behind a shield spell that had to be fueled by something awful.There was no way it would hold up for as long as it had against the assault otherwise.But I knew it would crumble eventually.

I expected more posturing.Maybe some begging or bargaining.But suddenly, the bitch just… smiled.

I exchanged wary looks with the others, at the surge of magic that had just appeared to my senses.The cult leader cackled with unhinged laughter.

“You thought a few fake deities would stop us?”she shouted.Then she raised her hand and gestured imperiously.“Give me the Lovel witch!”she demanded.“And I’ll make sure your deaths are quick.Hers though… well…” She looked directly at me.“I’m going to drain your power out of you slowly.You should have joined us when you had the chance.”

I glanced around us as people appeared.Dozens.Hundreds.We were surrounded by a new wave of cultists.I could see it all with sudden clarity.They had been holding back, for some reason.Send the childrens and slaves first.Draw out the enemy’s secret weapon.Then, when we thought we were winning….

As the circle of evil witches closed in around us, I looked down at the two children who were clinging to Hasumi’s pantlegs.“Can you dematerialize with them?”I said softly.“Get them out of here, Hasumi--”

My words were cut short when a massive flare of light and power rocked the SA building behind us.I flinched and threw up an arm instinctively, automatically expecting to be hit with flying debris.

But the building hadn’t exploded.No, it was much worse.

“Did you think we infiltrated the misguided alliance for nothing?”the O’Leary prime called out, spreading her arms to her sides.“You really are a disappointment to your family’s legacy, Lovell.”

Dozens of SA agents had holed up inside the SA building, behind the wards and protections which had just been shattered.Now they began pouring from the building, their motions jerky and strange.Like Dyre’s animated corpses, but… faster, and more bloodthirsty.

I watched in horror aszombiesfell upon the nearest rebel troops and started biting and tearing at them, devouring them alive.

Power flooded me, curled through my body and tingled at my fingertips.I finally realized what Bella had been trying to tell me all along.These people didn’t understand anything but power, brute strength.We couldn’t keep holding back.The only thing that would stop them was complete and utter magical domination.

I quickly glanced around me again, seeing the acceptance—and for some, the excitement—in their knowing gazes.I was about to become the hero—or the villain—I never wanted to be.

Chapter 24

Andy

---