Free The Vampire's Heart by Cochin Breaker Page B

view of the residential area, though I am still sat in the market. I focus the magic around me, and the roofing that hides the people of the city shifts slightly and I see hundreds of dots pop into existence. Some are a dull grey misty colour, people that are not adept in magic, and four vibrant white people, Penk, Sin, Lorien and Iniar, and one pulsing green; the witch. There are other colours, but they a few and far between, and we have come for this witch in particular.
    I lash out with the power raised within the Sircless, striking out at the witch. Magic connects with magic, grinding against each other, a test of strength, quantity and skill. I increase the flow of power into the casting and the witch’s shields fail, flushing her with Calcian power designed and shaped to render her a magical void, temporarily, anyway.
    Suddenly the view below me changes and a howling black void opens up where I struck at the witch, which is slowly expanding. The white lights of my men are quickly closing on the epicentre of the void. I switch my vision back to my eyes and stand, somewhat shakily, still flushed with more power than I usually can carry within me. Stumbling sideways, I support myself with a weary arm on the wall of a shop, dark to the world and unknowing of what goes on just outside its purview.
    My head swims with the magic and a dull thumping begins at the base of my skull, instinctively I know that it’s going to be a very long headache. I close my eyes for a couple of moments until I hear the sound of footsteps approaching.
    Straightening, I prepare to cast, hoping it is my squad but fearing it won’t be. Penk rounds the corner followed by Lorien and Sin. The latter man is carrying a body over his shoulder. Iniar is last to arrive. I let out a deep breath, completely unaware I’d been holding it in. I take in Sin and the man at his shoulder.
    “ New boyfriend?”
    “ Ha, bloody ha. You’re so funny. I can barely contain my hysterics,” Sin retorts in the most deadpan voice he can muster. The corners of five mouths turn up.
    “ So I take it this is our witch?” I had assumed it would be a woman, but I know that a man can just as easily be a heathen.
    “ No, I thought he was pretty, so I hit him with my club and now I’m going to take him home to my cave to make passionate love to him. Of course he’s the witch.”
    “ By Calcia, what has gotten into you?”
    “ Well, this guy isn’t exactly light and we’re all just stood here contemplating my comedic, yet untrue, sexual preferences. Can we go yet? I don’t fancy getting caught stealing a person from a city. It’s just a little bit on the side of extremely rude.”
    There is a glint of mischief in his eyes. I glance to the skies to make sure they’re clear. As expected, they are, so I beat my wings heavily and lift myself from the ground, slowly rising up toward the heavens.
    This success will do some good in pleasing Legion after the Angel-Mexis debacle. I hope it will, anyway.
     
    - Muzbeth -
     
    The rumours of me must have already spread to the town we are headed into; Longbridge. Kellum and I both look alive at the moment, which is a rarity. I can now use magic to appear as a normal person. Basically, the more blood and thus magic within me, the more normal I look; except for my teeth. They don’t change. Though I’m sure I could change them if I expended a little magic, but what would be the point in hiding what I am? I’m only human looking at the moment because Kellum asked me to very respectfully.
    We’ve both gained new clothes too; my old funereal garb is long gone and now I wear a simple plain white shirt and breeches, held at the waist by a sash-belt. I’ve had a haircut, and my beard shaved. That was two days previously, while Kellum was sleeping. The barber had nicked my chin whilst shaving me, and he was amazed to see the small cut heal before his very eyes; he had muttered something about magic or a miracle or something. He was