Cain glanced at Wynter just in time to see a smirk curve her mouth as she stared at Lailah.
Seth leaned toward him. “Did Wynter just … deactivate the runes on those blades?”
“I think she did,” said Cain. “She must have a failsafe in place so that no one can use her own enchantments against her.”
“Do you think she’d planned for a day when her own people would turn their weapons on her like this?” asked Azazel.
“Maybe.” One thing was for certain: His woman was full of surprises. And as Kali’s mark gleamed to life on her face, he switched his gaze back to the intruders.
Lailah’s lips parted. Saul went stiff as a board. The other Aeons and their troops shifted nervously.
“Are you sure you wish to tangle with one of Kali’s Favored?” Lilith called out.
Lailah barked a laugh. “You cannot believe we would think that mark is real. I have seen revenants in my time. Wynter is no revenant.” She swept her gaze along the line of Ancients. “No agreement can be reached here today, I am assuming?”
None of the Ancients replied.
“Then you leave us no choice,” said Lailah, her voice grave.
Beside her, Saul gave some sort of signal, and their troops drew their weapons.
“If our town must fall, so will yours.” She lifted her hands, and the water in the river rose high in a wave. A wave she sent rushing toward the manor.
*
Wynter felt her entire face go slack as the river—the actual motherfucking river—sailed through the air. “Holy mother of God.”
Xavier gaped. “What in the …”
Half turning to glance at the Ancients and hoping they didsomething, Wynter automatically tensed, bracing herself to get slammed by the gulf of water.
Power blasted out of Cain’s hand and collided with the wave. The water disintegrated into mist that morphed and … buzzed? Then it was a massive swarm of locusts, and those locusts zoomed at the people on the cliff.
Perched on Wynter’s shoulder as a crow, Hattie squawked in alarm.
“Yeah, no shit,” said Xavier.
The swarm practically fuckingengulfedthe Aeons and their troops. People cried out and stumbled around. Hell, some even went tumbling off the cliff.
“Well, now,” said Anabel/Mary, seemingly impressed.
Power lit the air directly above the swarm and cracked like a whip, causing it to disperse.
Her flushed face a mask of sheer unadulterated fury, Lailah struck with a bolt of lightning that zipped toward the Ancients.
Seth briskly repelled her strike … and then the two camps of immortals officially went to blows. Power traveled back and forth in whips, blasts, winds, flames, and waves. Power so intense and potent that it charged the air like static.
“Damn,” Wynter murmured in awe, resting a hand on the head of the huge monstrous cat that butted her leg in what seemed like a ‘Are you seeing this shit?’ question.
Someone on the cliff yelled out an order. A battle cry went up, and troops clambered down the cliff—some in human form, some in animal form. More, other troops began pouring out of hiding and speedily followed them.
“Here they come,” said Xavier, twirling his sword by its hilt.
Tension bunching her muscles, Wynter idly flexed her grip on the hilt of her own blade, watching as the troops spilled onto the town. They weren’t hesitant or cautious about invading unknown territory. No, they were bold and aggressive and cocky, seemingly sure that they held the upper hand. They attacked buildings as they ran, apparently intending to cause as much damage as death.
None of the residents moved to stop them. Everyone stayed in place, watching, waiting, readying themselves to act.
Her monster stirred dangerously as troops charged toward the manor. It wasn’t so pleased with her plan for it to sit out the battle. In fact, it had tried to rise when Lailah pinned her attention on Wynter, but Kali had thankfully stayed its hand.