Page 75 of Treachery in the Highlands
The shadows retreat, but I know it's only temporary.An Bodach's power is ancient and vast.But so is the legacy of the MacTaggart witches.I can feel the spirits of my ancestors stirring, lending me their strength.
"You think you can defeat me with parlor tricks?"An Bodach's voice booms, shaking the very ground beneath our feet.The shadows surge forward once more, tendrils of darkness reaching for us like grasping fingers.
I raise my free hand, channeling every ounce of power I can muster."These are no tricks, ye monster.This is the light of generations."
A blinding white light erupts from my palm, spreading outward in a dome that pushes back the encroaching darkness.Joey gasps beside me, his eyes wide with wonder.
"Holy shit, Rachel," he breathes."You're like a supernova."
I can't help but grin, even as sweat beads on my brow and my chest is heaving.
An Bodachgrins like the evil creature he is.
We do seem to be outdone in terms of magic.My parents' tale of a battle they won years ago taught me that what seems to be is not always so.
The mafiariatach, Fulvio, erupts into evil laughter as if he believes he's won---becauseAn Bodachseems to be on his side.But I suspect the Old Man won't remain loyal to the mobsters for much longer.
"What are you thinking?"Joey asks, his voice hushed."You've got the 'I have a plan' face."
I didnae realize I made a special face when I'm plotting something.But Joey knows me better than anyone else.I hiss out of the corner of my mouth, "Aye, you are correct.I have a plan.But I cannae guarantee it will work."
"How can I help?"
I glance at the mafia men."Do you intend to live in the year 1621?"
Fulvio rolls his eyes."Of course not.There's no percentage in living in ye olden days.I make a mint off crypto."
Whatever the word crypto means, I'm fair certain it's of no importance to me.I set my hands on my hips while my magics continue to swirl around me."An Bodachis a trickster and a shapeshifter.His intentions are always malevolent and never benefit anyone but himself.You are a fool, Fulvio, if you believe he will protect you during the battle that will surely come."
The mafia moron wields his little gun, waving it about as if that will cow the Scots who have gathered here."Four of us can mow down plenty of you hicks, especially with our friend here to provide a magical assist."
Joey has mentioned that guns can be deadly and faster than a sword.But with so many Scots from so many clans here with us, surely we can prevail.
My great-aunts gather round me, forming a circle within which I stand.The power of our magics crackles in the air like tiny golden sparks.
"Screw this," Fulvio snarls, as he and his friends pull out their weapons."Old Man, get your ass in gear and take down these chumps."
An Bodachsniggers---softly, darkly, the sound imbued with the darkest intent.His voice reverberates with ancient, unyielding power as he taunts Fulvio."Ye pitiful mortal.Did ye truly delude yourself into thinking I would conspire with such insignificant wretches?"
Fulvio's face contorts in confusion and anger."What the hell are you talking about?We had a deal!"
"I trade only in chaos and suffering,"An Bodachsnarls, his form warping into an even more monstrous visage with every passing second."And now, I shall gorge on the despair of all involved."
Dark, vicious tendrils of magic explode fromAn Bodach, striking out with relentless fury at both the mafia men and our group.I hear blood-curdling screams of terror from Fulvio and his cohorts as the shadows consume them.But there is no time to ponder their doom---the malevolent magic is surging towards us, poised to crush our defenses.
"Now, sisters!"I cry out to my great-aunts with desperate urgency.
In unison, we raise our hands, channeling our combined might into a blazing barrier of light.The darkness assaults it with the force of a raging storm against a cliff, yet our shield stands unwavering.Joey is at my side, his presence lending me strength too, even as his eyes widen in awe at the fierce magical battle erupting around us.
"Rachel, this is incredible," he breathes."But how long can you keep this up?"
I grit my teeth, feeling the strain of maintaining such powerful magic."Long enough, I hope.But we need to do more than just defend.We need to strike back."
Joey and my father raise their weapons---Joey's dirk and Father's claymore.Though fighting a demon with mundane weapons doesn't seem helpful, as I had realized earlier, this is only the first salvo.My great-aunts and I, working as one, can and will play a pivotal role.
All the men of all the twelve clans are swarming us, protecting us as best they can, for the real battle is about to commence.
As if in response to my words,An Bodach's form shifts again, growing even more monstrous.His body stretches and twists, becoming a grotesque amalgamation of shadow and flesh.Tentacles of darkness lash out, seeking any weakness in our defenses.
