Death Mask. Alex Archer

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СКАЧАТЬ Selena answered.

      “Any idea what one looks like?” Cal asked.

      “Like a regular person,” Brigid said, her tone flat. “Unless, of course, he’s a shifter.”

      “Thanks.” Cal’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “That narrows it down.”

      “I see the dragon flies,” Brigid called out excitedly.

      “Passing the open fire hydrant now,” Gina said. “Wall of water is up!” Gina’s talent as a witch included manipulating water. She could create a rain cloud on a sunny day and a tidal wave using the gushing water from an open hydrant. She made a wave tall enough to discourage the dragon flies from retreating in the opposite direction and make them a little nervous. The threat of a deluge of water would help her herd them toward the alley where Demi and Selena waited with the nets to capture them.

      “They’re moving fast,” Aurai huffed as if she was running.

      “Give them a nudge with the wind,” Demi said.

      “Nudging.” Aurai was supposed to stay within sight of the dragon flies. Her skills with wind would help direct the tiny creatures.

      A strong breeze pushed through the walls of the alley where Demi and Selena waited, net ready.

      “They’re turning into the alley!” Aurai exclaimed.

      “Raising the water wall to discourage a retreat,” Gina said. “I’m right on their tails. You should see the wall…now.”

      “Now, Brigid!” Demi called out as soon as she saw the wall of water.

      “Fire in the hole.” Fire erupted in front of Demi, blocking her view of the flying dragons and the dragons’ views of her and Selena waiting to capture them.

      “They’re going for the fire,” Aurai said.

      “Get ready,” Brigid said into the headset. “They’re through!”

      Demi and Selena pulled the ropes and the net fell over the dragons, trapping them, dropping them to the ground.

      They fought and blasted out bursts of flames, but the net held.

      “Want me to douse them?” Gina asked, the wall of water hovering.

      Selena held up a hand. “No. They aren’t malevolent. Just malleable.”

      “You mean they’re friendly?” Brigid stepped closer and one of the dragons shot a stream of flame at her. She caught it in her palm and laughed. “Feisty little bugger, aren’t you?”

      “What do we do with them now?” Aurai asked.

      “You guys figure it out.” Demi tapped her headset mic. “Black, how’s it going with the demon?”

      Cal didn’t respond.

      “We shouldn’t have sent him off to handle a demon on his own.”

      “He’s a big boy.” Brigid leaned closer to the tiny dragons. “He can handle it.”

      “I’m going to check on him.” Demi took off at a jog.

      “I’m with you.” Aurai fell in step beside her. “I saw him a block away when we passed with the dragon flies.”

      “We’d better hurry. I’m not familiar with demon powers.”

      “I understand they’re as varied as witches’ powers.”

      “Great. No telling what he’s up against.”

      As a human, he had only a gun and his sharp mind to work with. Sometimes that wasn’t enough.

      Demi heard the ruckus before she saw the demon and Cal duking it out in an alley a block away. Or rather, the demon was kicking Cal’s butt, and Cal was doing his best to survive.

      “Can you whip up a distraction?” Demi asked.

      Aurai raised her hands and debris rose from the pavement. Slats from old pallets, rocks, nails, garbage whirled in a funnel, barreling toward the demon who held Cal up by the throat and then flung him against a wall.

      Cal hit with a thud and slid down, shaking his head. “Nice move, but I can do better,” he muttered, dragging himself to his feet.

      The demon laughed. “Give up, human. You’re no match for me.”

      “Hey, dirtbag!” Demi yelled before the demon could lift Cal off his feet and throw him again.

      The demon spun to face the two women.

      Demi stood with her hands fisted on her hips. “What he lacks in superhuman strength, he makes up for in intelligence and backup.” She channeled her inner connection with the earth and shook the ground the demon stood on; at the same time she sensed a stray vine poking out of the pavement and gave it a burst of energy.

      “Well, well. What have we here?” He sniffed the air. “I smell witches.”

      “Damn right you do.” Aurai flung her funnel cloud in the demon’s face, the garbage, boards and nails pummeling the bastard until he raised his hands and everything fell to the ground.

      “Enough!” he yelled, the sound reverberating off the walls of the surrounding buildings. He raised his hands like a master magician. “I’ll have my revenge and serve up two witches with it.”

      “I don’t think so. Not today.” Demi stepped in front of Aurai to protect her from whatever the demon had in mind. She flexed her inner witch and the vine extended, wrapping quickly and silently around the demon’s leg. When it was firmly in place, Demi yanked it with a thought.

      The demon’s raised arms flailed in the air as he crashed to the earth.

      “I’ll get you for that.” He waved his hand and Demi flew through the air, landing on her backside, the wind knocked from her lungs.

      “Like hell you will.” Before the demon could wave again, Cal swung one of the boards Aurai had stirred up in her whirlwind, hitting the demon’s hand.

      The demon screamed and rolled to his side, kicking out at Cal.

      Cal leaped over the downed paranorm and swung again, catching him on the chin. His head whipped backward and slammed into a wall. The demon lay still.

      Standing over the demon like a conquering hero, Cal said, “Don’t mess with my girl.”

      “And my sisters.” Aurai stepped over to the demon and nudged him with her toe. He moaned but didn’t wake. “You might be a demon, but you aren’t invincible.”

      Demi staggered to her feet.

      “You okay?” Cal asked.

      “I’d be a whole lot better if I had a day off.” She rolled her shoulders and rubbed her tailbone. “Think Chief Warner would give us some vacation СКАЧАТЬ