Page 96 of The Tracker's Dawn: Sunderverse

I nodded in thanks and kept going. As we rounded the corner, the scene changed even more.

A rainbow of magical attacks crackled in the air, forming a giant sphere that made me think of Epcot Center. In the middle of it, Damien and Mekare battled it out as if trying to create the world’s most dangerous Fourth of July fireworks display.

Except this was no celebration.

It was carnage.

Swimming in puddles of crimson, a multitude of bodies lay around the sphere’s perimeter, wounds gaping, limbs torn, heads severed. Red rivulets ran down the street drains, and the stench of blood clogged my nose, making me gag. The tableau was so horrid, I was sure it would haunt my nightmares forever.

Tearing my eyes away, I focused on the mage and witch.

They were something to behold as their hands weaved at a prodigious speed and shot spell after spell at each other. Their protective shields blocked the attacks and projected them outward, however, causing the magical sphere around them to grow.

Eric took a step forward as if to cross into the sizzling bubble.

I blocked his path, afraid of what would happen if the magic hit him.

“We have to help them!”he protested.

“I know, but...”If he went in there, he might as well strap himself to an electric chair.

Rosalina planted her feet on the asphalt and aimed her guns at Mekare. Hell yeah, that seemed like a much better idea than stepping into that mess.

She aimed carefully at the witch, who stood with her back toward us. I held my breath. Just as Rosalina seemed ready to pull the trigger, the witch turned to smoke to avoid one of Damien’s attacks.

Rosalina cursed under her breath.

The black haze suddenly disappeared.

My eyes flicked in every direction, looking for Mekare.

“Where did she go?!”Eric growled.

Rosalina brandished her weapon from side to side, seeking a target. Damien also appeared confused. He held out his hands, slowly retreating.

Between one blink and another, a mass of black smoke materialized behind Damien and instantly solidified. The witch towered over the mage, all six-foot-two of her. A smile slashed her face as she directed a hand at Damien’s head.

“Watch out!”My warning came out as a bark.

Damien’s eyes widened in surprise as he sensed her presence. Dark magic sparked in Mekare’s fingers.

“NO!”Eric cried out.

A crack reverberated in my ears, then a bullet struck the witch’s shoulder, sending her reeling backward. Damien whirled, already weaving a spell.

Mekare clutched her shoulder and bared her teeth in pain. Her attention shifted in our direction. She found me in an instant and a deep hatred disfigured her face.

“You will pay for this. All of you. AND SOON!” she said, her voice resounding as if from a megaphone. The last words were much louder, holding a promise.

My hackles rose from the threat, and I knew in my very bones that she would keep her promise, that we had to be ready.

Before her words finished echoing, she disappeared, vanished into smoke with no trace.

Damien backed away from the spot, his hands still up, his copper eyes roving all around. When it became evident she had fled, the mage twirled a hand up in the air and the electric cloud that hung over him dissipated.

“Damien!” Rosalina exclaimed and ran in his direction. She crashed into him, wrapping her arms around his neck, still holding her guns. An instant later, she pulled back and planted a kiss on his lips as he stood stiffly, eyes wide.

Taken aback by Damien’s lack of response, Rosalina pulled away, looking embarrassed.