Page 76 of Treachery in the Highlands
"Rachel!"Great-Aunt Efrica calls out."We must focus our attack!"
I nod curtly, instantly understanding what she means.The five of us---myself and the aunts---begin to move in a circular pattern, our steps in perfect synchronization.The men around us watch in awe as golden light begins to swirl at our feet, rising up to envelop us in a shimmering vortex.
The figureAn Bodachmelts into a seething cloud of black and purple that intensifies quickly as the air pulses with raw power.I feel the magic coursing through me, stronger than ever before.The combined strength of generations of MacTaggart witches flows through our circle, building to a crescendo.
"Now!"I holler, my voice ringing with authority.Och, is that my voice?Aye, it is.
As one, we thrust our hands forward.A blinding beam of pure light erupts from our circle, cutting throughAn Bodach's dark cloud like a sword through mist.The demon shrieks, a sound of rage and pain that shakes the very earth.
His distorted voice reverberates through time stream and all of Scotland."Noooo!You witches will suffer for this, and I shall have my vengeance!"
The whirlwind of black and purple rises high into the sky, blotting out the light.My great-aunts and I continue chanting as our voices gradually grow louder until the very air around us vibrates with the power of our words.The golden light emanating from our circle intensifies, pushing back against the swirling darkness above.
"Keep going!"I shout, my voice strained but determined."We're weakening him!"
Joey steps closer, his presence bolstering my resolve as he shoves his dirk into its sheath, and his magics meld with mine."You've got this, Rachel.Show the demon what a MacTaggart witch can really do."
Drawing strength from Joey's unwavering faith, I dig deeper, tapping into reserves of power I never knew I possessed.The light from our circle surges upward, piercing through An Bodach's dark form like shafts of sunlight breaking through storm clouds.
The demon's screams grow more frantic, more desperate."Impossible!You cannot defeat me!I am eternal!"
But I can feel the tide turning.An Bodach's darkness is fragmenting, breaking apart under the onslaught of our combined light."Ye may be eternal, but so is the light of the MacTaggart witches!"
With one final push, we channel every ounce of our power into a blinding explosion of golden energy.The light engulfsAn Bodach's writhing form, shattering his darkness into countless fragments that dissipate like smoke in the wind.
But he roars one last time, leaving us with these words: "I have multiplied your enemies,doideagan!They shall avenge me!"
As the last echoes of the demon's wailing fade away, an eerie silence falls over the battlefield.I sway on my feet, exhausted but exhilarated.Joey's strong arms wrap around me, steadying me.
"You did it, Rach," he whispers, his voice filled with awe and pride."An Bodachis no more.From now on, he'll only be a bugaboo, a myth to scare naughty kids into behaving."
The aunts and I break away from our circle.Aye, we have won the magical battle and destroyedAn Bodach.But he left behind enough monsters to do considerable damage.A battle must be fought now---a battle for the souls of the twelve clans.
"Oh, shit."Joey's eyes widen briefly as he realizes what has happened.Then a steely resolve hardens his features."I wish I was hallucinating, and there aren't really an army of duplicate mobsters with guns ready to attack us."
My father sets a hand on Joey's shoulder."Dinnae fash, laddie.Scots have fought worse battles than this, and our numbers are far greater."
"But guns can splatter your brains within a matter of seconds."
"Have ye lost yer faith in the clans?"
Joey raises his brows."Did I say I was giving up?Hell no.It's time to show those mafia assholes what a bunch of Scots and one New Yorker can do."
I love his resolve, but I need to make sure all the men understand."I'm afraid the members of our coven have depleted our magics---for not.We'll need time to replenish it.More time than this battle can handle."
My father grins like a feral beast."Dinnae fash, Rachel.After all,'s e Albannaich a th' annainn."
Joey's brows lift."And that means..."
Father raises his sword high and shouts, loudly enough to hurt my years, "We are Scots!"
And just like that, battle begins.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Joey
Fulvio and his duplicate minions have pulled out their weapons, and it's clear thatAn Bodachgifted them with one last helpful device---a Tommy gun.I really hate that bastard.Whatever it takes to rid the world of these jerk-offs, I'll do it.They wanted to kill me, after all, so I don't feel too bad about taking them out.
