Page 56 of Ruthless Fae
The world began to float away.
When I felt it shake beneath me, I imagined the mutant soldiers advancing to grind me into dust. Forcing my eyes open, I looked for their advance, but they still stood where I’d last seen them, the guards, too.
Then what was making the ground shake?
Feebly, I pushed up, straining to see over the long grass that lay all around me.
People were coming.
No, not just people.
Witches.
Some ran, some flew, some drove in vehicles, but all were casting. Sparks of blue, red, and yellow flew about like fireworks I’d seen on human TV. They swarmed toward the mutants and guards, blasting them with spells in streaks of color and shouts of defiance.
But my heart ached. They shouldn’t attack the mutants. None of this was their fault!
“Don’t hurt them,” I croaked, trying to stand. But as I got to my feet, my legs gave out, and I plunged back into the grass. Weak as I was, I couldn’t make another attempt.
That was when I heard footsteps and felt a hand on my arm.
Magic flowed through my body, warm and tingly. In an instant, I had energy. I could stand and lift my head. When I did, I locked eyes with the witch who had saved me.
Dean McIntosh.
“Tally,” she said, giving me a warm smile. “I’m sorry I’ve been gone so long. Please forgive me. I was arranging back-up.”
“I see that.” I returned her smile, so happy to see her. “It is appreciated.”
“Are you all right?” She looked me over like a fussing mother.
“Yes, but please tell them not to hurt the mutants. It’s not their fault.” I gestured to her witches.
The dean brushed dirt off my cheek. “They know. They’re only immobilizing them. We’re going into the building to find those really responsible. Great work on getting the dome down. And just in time. It spared us a battle against the mutants and saved many lives, I’m sure. Now, can you fight?”
I flexed my arms and legs, finally giving my wings a whirl. Everything was operational.
“I can fight,” I said. “Let’s finish this. Once and for all.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
I jumped into the air,flying toward the building, the structure now naked-looking without its protective barrier. Witches marched around the mutants, making sure a spell restrained every single one of them. Their poor, wretched faces were still slack and their eyes lost, but as their bodies glowed with the magical energy that kept them in place, I knew hope had been restored, and they would all turn back to normal and be freed.
Since I wasn’t needed there, I glanced around, searching for my next fight. Soldiers with big guns ran out of the building shooting, but the efficient witches quickly blocked their bullets and took care of their weapons, making them disappear or turning them into harmless objects like umbrellas, tree branches, or toy guns. Tyler helped, directing teams of witches while doing a little fighting of his own. It was good to see he was back and alive.
A few witches cackled, enjoying themselves far too much. One of them had a wild cloud of red hair around her face, and she flew atop a broom saying “Take that, you lowlife,” every time she cast a spell. She sounded like Bridget, but I didn’t get a good look.
Dean McIntosh had gotten lost in the throng, directing her army, ensuring no one hurt the mutants. Under her direction, the witches were fast and efficient, keeping harm to a minimum. For a second, I felt so confused and out of place that I didn’t know how I could be of help.
Maybe it was over. Maybe I could finally rest.
Then I realized there would be no rest for me—not until I laid eyes on the Habermanns and made sure they’d been captured and slated to receive their well-deserved punishment.
Filled with determination, I sped toward the building. I was about to duck inside when I heard my name over the din off the busy witches.
“Tally!”
I whirled in midair, my eyes searching.
