Page 16 of Crimson Skies

Is he able to hold his own against us because of that weapon?!

“He’s a warlock.” Reuben met Theo’s wary glance. “And that’s a summoning staff.”

8

Theo blinked.He remembered reading about the humans who’d entered into contracts with the Hells following the Fall. They’d sold their souls to dark Gods in order to gain the power to wield the demonic artifacts created from the Bloodsand trees that grew there. He frowned as he studied the warlock’s weapon.

Did Elios have the Shadow Empire alchemists make that too?!

Delphine’s pupils flashed as she unleashed her Aqueous powers, the dazzling layer of water that covered her sword honing her blade to a sharpness that could cut through air molecules. “When it rains, it fucking pours, huh?”

Gusts of wind blasted from Levi.

The warlock’s dark robe fluttered around him where he floated within his levitation spell. “I see there are powerful demons in Cabalista. Not that it’ll make a damn difference.” He knocked back his hood, revealing an ugly scar that carved across the right side of his face and a milky, sightless eye. “I will still crush you like the insects you are.”

Seraphic light flared in Reuben’s pupils and lit up his skin.

The nameless warlock grunted as he was sent crashing into a wall by the angel’s Aerial powers. He raised his head, wiped the trace of blood staining his lips with the back of a hand, and stared at the crimson smear. Madness distorted his features.

“Is that all you’ve got, angel?!”

He straightened against the cracked wall. Black magic and sulfur blasted out from him in a thick spoor. Charlie gagged, his eyes watering. Reuben cast a breeze that dispersed the foul fumes. The angel froze when the warlock’s spell bomb arrowed toward him and his lover.

Theo blocked it with a wordless incantation.

The warlock cursed, his attack deflected by the golden guard Theo had raised. His good eye widened. He stopped the Spear of Light with his staff a hairbreadth from his neck.

The scowl he gave Theo told him he hadn’t seen him move.

Theo lowered his brows. “How about we take this outside?”

He snapped his wings open and rose, taking the warlock with him.

Plaster cracked and bricks and mortar exploded as they smashed through the roof and ascended past the dark green cupola crowning the Cabalista headquarters.

The warlock’s magic protected him from the brunt of the impact. He sneered at Theo. Shadows swelled around him.

Theo’s pulse spiked. He darted back from the tendrils shooting toward his limbs.

“Suspend!”

The shackles froze inches before they reached him.

The crimson spell bomb the warlock cast at him made him flinch. Theo moved, his demigod speed saving him from the powerful strike. The magic projectile shot past him.

He narrowed his eyes at the warlock. “You missed, asshole.”

The man smirked. “Did I?”

Theo whirled around. His stomach dropped.

The spell bomb had stopped above the cupola. It darkened and spun on its axis with a rising whine, its size and power expanding exponentially even as he watched. Ash filled Theo’s mouth.

The inky strands wreathing the scarlet currents carried the stench of Elios’s corruption.

No!

Time slowed.