TWENTY FOUR

Caitlin and Sera flew nearly all the way downtown in unimpeded skies until finally, their luck ran out. At Houston Street, soldiers from the Blacktide Coven appeared, coming right at them. There were maybe two dozen of them, and there was no way around them.

“Prepare for battle,” Sera said in the air, her face transforming with rage, as she lifted her battle ax.

Caitlin extracted both her sword and her spear, trying to remember all the principles that Aiden had taught her on the island. Stay focused. Breathe deep. Center yourself. When you are outnumbered, focus on the center warrior. There are no room for emotions in battle.

They were badly outnumbered, but Caitlin, clutching her weapons with sweaty palms, felt that they could win.

A second later, they crashed into the group at full speed. As they did, Caitlin slashed the sword expertly, decapitating one of them. She threw her spear in the same motion, piercing another one’s throat. Sera swung her axe wide, chopping off the heads