The Scourge of Gods

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

"Where's Seve?" asked Eriden. "He should be here by now."

He paced the Siivalen's dimension, as far from Jun as possible. Just being near the demon-child made him feel deprived of air. Though, the Guardian was occupied, trying to unlock the door into Rhydon City. His hands were pressed against the portal as runes flickered across the wafer of glass.

Naya looked out over the cliff. "He's way ahead of us.

"The mage infiltrated the witch's ranks," said Maro, a smile crooking his lips.

Surprise ran down Eriden's spine. "Wait, what? How?"

"Seve is a shapeshifter. He took the form of one of the witches he killed."

Eriden nodded his head slowly. He should have suspected Maro had hired a shapeshifter for the team. It was a perfect earth technique for a mercenary, and such a mage was as rare as everyone else present. Seve could take the form of any living organism his fingers touched. Even spiritual beings.

"Let's hope he raises hell before we get there," grated Abasi, laughing.

Though Eriden didn't understand something. "Every mage and witch have unique energy signatures. Wouldn't the witches know he's an imposter? We've tried using shapeshifters to fool them in ancient times, but it's never worked."

Naya looked at Eriden. "Seve can alter his energy signature to fit his victims' perfectly. He mimics their thought patterns, takes on their personalities. I even had trouble discovering his true form. He's the first of his kind to be able to do such a thing."

"Why were his abilities kept secret?"

"The Imigi people have psychic warriors," said Maro. "Should they have gleaned that information from your minds, one of our best advantages would have been compromised." He glanced at Naya. "Though you're a little too clever for your own good."

"It was easy to figure it out," she said, shrugging.

Abasi snorted. "That's 'cuz you're a freak, woman!"

The distorted shape of Naya's right arm twisted beneath her sha'hin, and the muffled grind of scales against scales chafed the air. "Mind your tongue, magician," she whispered, voice muddied and dark.

Eriden's throat tightened. Naya sure was terrifying when she wanted to be.

"Hey, hey, hey, who're you callin' magician?" Abasi put his hands on his fur-padded hips, and cocked his masked face. "It wasn't an insult. We're all freaks here, or haven't you noticed? You're a very pretty freak, anyhow."

Naya gave the summoner a withering glare.

"Magi," said Vetis, in his deep, garbled voice. "I require your services. Those damn Guardians are keeping me out of the dimension. Allow me access to your power. I am going to have to force my way in."

"You have it," said Maro.

Eriden lowered the shield over his core. A wave of goosebumps flitted across his skin as an invisible vacuum sapped his spiritual energy. He was always shielding his core unconsciously from being manipulated, so allowing a demon to do something so intimate disgusted him, like being caressed by mud-soaked hands.

The twinkling dance of runes intensified against the grey portal. Vetis' finger's pressed harder against the glass, his veins pulsing visibly along his arm. Soon, a white light lit up the doorway.

Vetis withdrew his hands. "It's open."