“I have some conditions.” I had no idea why I thought I could barter with an inanimate object, but I was going with my gut. This would be far from the weirdest thing I’d done lately. “I will stay me. I don’t need my age cut in half to be a badass. I am already a badass. But I’d love it if my back would stop hurting. And what’s with the crackling joints? What’s that all about? Maybe erase the stretch marks, too. I mean, that wasn’t my fault—my skin sucks and my son was enormous. Oh! Can I get a magical skin care regime? That sounds like a good one. I hate bothering with that stuff. And oh, if you could put my boobs back where they belong, that would be awesome. I have to date again eventually, and the boob issue was the kid’s fault, too, so I don’t mind asking for that. Basically…less aches and pains, and the body I would have had if the kid hadn’t stretched me out. Sure, I could diet and exercise, but let’s get real. I don’t want to. In return, I will return the house to its former glory, host your magic even though it’ll put me in danger, and…harden up to fighting. And freedom, or whatever.”
The crystals pulsed three times in quick succession. Butterflies filled my stomach. I felt like I was making a deal with the devil.
I took a deep breath, and reached out.ThirtyThe ground rumbled beneath Niamh’s feet. A low hum filled the air.
A host of enemy rounded the house, finally clued in to the battle and coming to lend their aid. Edgar, flagging, prepared for them. Mr. Tom, sagging as well, landed for a moment, catching his breath. Even Niamh felt the effects of her effort.
Only Austin Steele showed no signs of slowing. He charged the enemy, brawn and power. Bodies flew with abandon.
“He’s the best I’ve ever seen,” Edgar said, wiping a trickle of blood from his chin.
Niamh had to agree, and she’d battled a great many shifters. The best of the best. None of the others could hold a candle to the magnificence that was Austin Steele, even with age against him. He was larger than life, and used every ounce of his strength and power to his benefit.
But this new round of fighters had come prepared. Silver gleamed at the end of their spears, illuminated by the magical light showering them from above. He could withstand much, but he couldn’t withstand silver.
“Hurry!” she wanted to shout to Edgar, but her stupid horse face didn’t allow for it. She charged ahead, using everything she had. Silver wouldn’t harm her or Edgar.
A shock wave blasted through the air, stealing her breath. Another, knocking her out of the sky. One more, and suddenly her strength began to grow. Her energy doubled. Tripled. Little aches dried up and disappeared. Big aches evaporated. Her heart beat harder, pumping her blood in steady gushes. She didn’t even know that had been a problem.
Earl straightened up in front of her, put out his arms, and then snapped out his wings, spreading them wide. They no longer drooped. Muscles filled in his suddenly taut skin. Then swelled to the size they’d been in his prime. He bellowed and thumped his chest, fairly ridiculous.
Edgar straightened up and his eyes lit. His teeth became sharper. Whiter. Much cleaner. He poofed into a swarm of insects, flew ten feet, and materialized back into a vampire, running toward Austin. Midway there, he poofed back into insects, like a kid with a new toy. That was going to get annoying.
The ground bucked under Niamh’s hooves. A dark shadow rained from the sky, blotting out the moon. Blotting out the enemy’s magical light cascading down.
Except Niamh could see without a problem, and so could Austin, by the look of it. He took advantage of the enemy’s floundering, swiping away spears and clamping down on someone with his massive jaws. He stood, shook his head, then spat out the leftovers. His roar froze Niamh’s blood, and then an enormous swipe of his paw knocked out three enemies waving their hands in front of them, trying to see with their feelers.
Ivy House had woken up.
Screams emitted from inside. Glass broke on the second floor. Someone jumped out of a window. Another followed. Nets fired into the air from the third floor, catching one flier Niamh hadn’t even seen. The creature fell to the ground, struggling.
Another blast emitted from the house, this one from chest height all around the perimeter. Darts, tipped with poison or sleeping draught or who knew what. They sailed right through Niamh’s body as if she were a ghost, rematerializing on the other side. The same happened with Austin, Edgar, and Earl.
The invaders had no such luck. They reached around to touch their sudden wounds, confused. One by one, their knees weakened. They wobbled, reaching out for something to hold them upright. One by one, they hit the dirt.