Page 29 of Whispers of Ruin
He couldn’t believe he was thinking about how alluring her aroma was while the serpents were closing in on them, but it was impossible not to notice her. He dug his fingers into his palm to keep from brushing back a loose strand of hair and tucking it behind her ear.
“I can put a protective spell around us,” she whispered.
“Can we move fire through it?”
“No. It would tear down the barrier if we did that.”
“Let’s use the fire to crisp fry some of these things, and then you can put a protective spell around yourself.”
Her eyes narrowed as the cleft in her chin deepened. “I’m not leaving you out here and unprotected while I hide behind a barrier.”
Brokk didn’t argue with her; he would do whatever was necessary to protect her, but he couldn’t force her to do something. He’d have to ensure these things didn’t get close enough to harm her.
Brokk edged as close to the flames as he dared before they became too much to bear. Kaylia stopped beside him, and while more thunder rattled the earth and lightning pelted the ground, they found some safety in the shadow of the flames as the storm didn’t touch them here.
Closing his eyes, Brokk focused on the power of the flames so close to his right shoulder they nearly blistered his skin. Their heat and energy radiated against him as they devoured the land.
Smoke smoldered from some places where the lightning hit, and more flames leapt to life further in the jungle before sputtering out. So far, the fire remained centered around the group of immortals tucked safely within its circle.
As dozens of the serpents approached, Brokk lifted his hands and opened his eyes. In unison with Kaylia, they moved their hands forward.
Flames followed the movement as they broke away from the fire and crashed into the creatures only ten feet away. The monstrosities released shocked hissing sounds while others screeched as the flames caught on their hair and scales.
A green color filled the air as the fire rose over their tails and sparks shot into the night. Together, they released more flames on the serpents who had turned toward their engulfed brethren, but there was little they could do to put out the inferno as it devoured their friends.
The immortals behind them shouted in disbelief as more snakes burst into flames.
“What the fuck?”
“What’s going on?” their confused shouts continued to fill the air.
“Are you doing that?”
“Ryker!” someone else bellowed. “Ryker, you have to get over here to see this!”
Brokk ignored their yelling as he and Kaylia continued to unleash fire on the monsters, who were now edging away from the flames attacking them.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE
While the flames’strength and the earth’s power thrumming beneath her feet helped strengthen her, Kaylia could still feel her magical abilities draining. She was injured and tiring fast; she needed to replenish herself before she dropped.
Without thinking, her body instinctively sought the biggest energy source near her… Brokk. Power swelled beneath her fingertips when her hand encircled his forearm.
The power he exuded crackled across her skin as it fueled her abilities and renewed her strength. Releasing him, she gathered more fire and heaved it at the creatures who had started to retreat in confusion.
Lightning pierced through the sky and crashed all around them as it took out more creatures, and a fresh wave of thunder fractured the earth. Some fell into this new pit as commands to retreat filled the air.
The two of them released another wave of fire, sending what remained of the creatures slithering rapidly toward the jungle while more fell beneath the flames. She couldn’t see what was happening on the other side of the circle, but the twang of more arrows unleashing filled the air.
Screams came from the other side of the fire, and more cries to retreat sounded. When she swayed, Kaylia grasped Brokk’s arm again as she steadied herself. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it as rain started falling.
The fire sizzled and popped when the water hit it. As more of the snakes slithered through the jungle, Brokk released her hand to unleash another ball of fire on them.
Screams erupted from the trees as the fire erupted in the shadows. She let go of Brokk to help him hurl more firebombs at the creatures.
As the fire dwindled behind them, Brokk reached for her, but the immortals from within the flames poured out and raced across the battered field. They pushed her and Brokk further apart as they bellowed while clashing with the remaining snakes.
Kaylia scampered to get out of the way before they trampled her as the fire dwindled to the point where they couldn’t use it. She made it a few feet before something hard and heavy crashed into her side and sent her flying.
