Mack by Christina Bauer

Author:Christina Bauer [Bauer, Christina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781946677525
Publisher: Monster House Books

17

Kaps

My dragon’s sense starts to go berserk. Predator! It seems to scream. Beware! I step around in a slow circle, on alert for any sign of danger.

The lights flicker and darken. Adrenaline kicks through my system. My thoughts circle back to my battle training with Mack. This is what happened when the faked-up Toxicant attacked. The lights went out first.

I pat my pockets. I brought some relics, but nothing that would help against a Toxicant. True, I just picked up a cool wand. But it’s unclear what—if anything—that scepter can do.

Leaning down, I check the holster at my ankle. Sure, I know that I’ve been leaving metal stuff behind since it sets off the tower’s alarms, but maybe I just got lucky and it’s still there.

But the holster is empty.

Okay, I can improvise.

With gentle movements, I pull down a near picture from the wall and snap off one side of the frame. Sure enough, the frame is gilded. That’s just a paper-thin coating of gold, but it should be enough.

With my makeshift weapon in hand, I can do one of two things. The first is run for my life. Not an option. If there really is an Audax—or worse, a Toxicant—then running just gives them an easy target. As in, my back.

And why flee when I’m so very good in battle?

I carefully scan the shadowy passage. Once again, I lean into my memories from the battle simulation with Mack. We’d somehow connected with each other. Rhana magic. It was natural enough to do when we were side by side, but could it work across a distance?

One way to find out.

I picture Mack and the golden glow that appeared over his skin. Suddenly, a rush of energy moves through me. I smile from ear to ear.

Yes. I’ve tapped in.

With my new power behind me, I inspect the hallway once more. At first, I see nothing. Then a thin layer of golden fire surrounds a distant figure.

More rhana magic.

This time, my connection to Mack reveals how one of the Cerys’ guards lurks near the wall. I scan the figure more carefully.

Hold on. That’s not a guard. It’s a Toxicant.

The true look of this souped-up vampire matches what I saw in the battle simulation. This new Toxicant sports blue skin, pointy fingers and gangly limbs. Oh, and let’s not forget my favorite part: all those long fangs that drip venom.

As I’ve learned over the years, not all Audax have the same strengths in battle. I’m guessing the same is true for Toxicants. This one isn’t rushing into a fight, which works for me. I can size up my opponent.

Time to chat up the vampire.

I tighten my grip on my stake. “I see you.”

“That’s not possible.”

“You’re not Audax. You’re Toxicant. And you’re standing by the statue of Mistress Cerys. Now you tell me what’s possible.”

The Toxicant pauses. There’s the tell-tale intake of breath that means he hears me and isn’t happy.

Good.

I slip down the hallway. The Toxicant tilts his head, but doesn’t track my movement across the passage.

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