Geomancist (Seven Forbidden Arts 5)

“Something to do with your lost art, mm?”

Eric broke from the circle of onlookers and rushed toward them. A purple bruise already marred his jaw. “Get me out of here. Now.”

Armelle gave him a once-over. “Getting brave, Eric?”

Sean frowned. “How do you know his name?”

Armelle unclipped the pistol on her hip and aimed it at Eric.

“What the—”

Before Sean could finish his sentence, she pulled the trigger. The bullet hit Eric between the eyes. The impact flung his body backward, his lifeless form hitting the sand. Screaming spectators ran in all directions.

Sean didn’t check for a pulse. Armelle had aimed to kill on impact. He turned a questioning gaze on the geomancist.

Armelle shrugged. “Orders. He was weak. A favor from my boss to his.”

“Wait.” Sean lifted his hands. “Your boss? Who do you work for?”

“Why, Godfrey of course.” She licked her lips. “Now the real fun starts.”

Chapter 12

The two women circled each other, Armelle flexing her fingers and Maya swaying her hips.

“Get back!” Sean called to the people behind him.

Some of them scurried over the sand to the safety of their units while the braver ones hurried to the rooftop deck for a view. It was probably not the first time some of them had witnessed a murder, but what awaited was definitely going to be a first.

The earth shook under his feet. A crack wide enough to bury a human body split down the beach, running toward Maya. The people on the rooftop screamed. Maya was quick to jump in the water. The shallow waves lifted under her body, hoisting her into the sky. While the crack filled with sand, Maya was safe up in the air on her staircase of water.

Armelle laughed. “Impressive, hydromancist.”

A freak wave lifted like a mountain from the sea, rolling in Armelle’s direction. She raised an arm and flicked her fingers. Under her feet, a hill erupted. It grew until she was higher than the wave. The tricks were spectacular, but Sean knew they were only getting started. Maya was up against a powerful enemy. She needed all the help she could get.

Running for the hill, he climbed up the side, but Maya called, “Stay out of this, Sean.”

He gave her an incredulous look.

Armelle’s smile was sultry. “Poor little impotent boy. I’ll deal with you later.”

He fisted his hands. He was continuing the uphill climb when a whirlpool of water rose from the sea. The liquid hurricane advanced to Armelle, picking up speed as it cut across the water. It was going to hit him with full force. Running with all his might, he chased after Armelle as she ran inland. She did a double flip, landing on her feet on the lawn.

Before he reached her, the sand on the beach started twirling. Within seconds, it was a tornado. Water and sand collided. Particles of dust and ocean flew everywhere. He shielded his eyes, trying to keep a visual of Armelle. Screams still sounded from the side of the building, but the spectators were no longer watching from the rooftop. They were scattered across the island, running for the shelter of the guest units as a wall of water advanced from the sea. At the same time, a small mountain erupted, running across the length of the beach. It effectively blocked the water from flattening the restaurant, but not the bar. The crush broke the wooden beams of the thatch roof like matches.

“Use your weapons,” he shouted at Maya, wishing he had some. “Throw me your gun.”

She chuckled. “That’s no fun.”

The women were destroying the island. Nothing would be left after a fight that could only end with one of them dead. If Armelle won, she’d be able to steal both his and Maya’s art, not that his dormant art would do her any good. If he could pull up his art, at least Maya would have a better chance. Armelle was powerful, he’d give her that, and she had perfect control of her gift.

The ocean bed shook under Maya. The rocks in the shallow water cracked. A spiral of water shot from the ocean, punching Armelle in the stomach. The force sent her flying, her back hitting the ground with a thump.

Grunting, she jumped to her feet in a fluid motion. She dodged the second spiral coming toward her and hurled a bank of sand with a flick of her wrist. A thick dust cloud settled over the land and the sea, obscuring Sean’s visibility. He lifted his arms to protect his face against the sharp pricks of sand flying everywhere. His eyes burned. Sand crunched under his teeth. The fine white sand filled his nostrils and ears, making it impossible to breathe. Wet sand caked on his lips, filled his pockets, and blasted the parts of his skin that was exposed. He fought his way forward, heading for the water to dip his head under. He’d have to hold his breath to survive a sand storm stronger than anything he’d seen.