Page 147 of Twist of Fate

Luke swung the nozzle toward the exposed receiver. Water slammed into the equipment. Sparks erupted from the open housing. The receiver’s hum climbed into a piercing whine as water flooded the controls and poured across the platform. Red lights flashed wildly, losing their rhythm.

The buyer shouted and threw both hands toward the equipment. Magic stretched from his shield and wrapped around the receiver, trying to force the water away.

That was the mistake Luke needed him to make.

“Keep it on him,” Luke told Connal.

He released the hose and ran for the platform.

The buyer saw him coming, but he could not attack without withdrawing the magic protecting the receiver. Connal drove the stream against his shield again, forcing him farther from the open housing.

Luke climbed onto the platform and reached inside.

The metal braces around the core had begun to heat. He caught the first release and pulled it back. The second refused to move.

A masked warrior reached the platform behind him.

Keir intercepted the man before he could strike, driving him away from Luke and into the path of one of the buyer’s guards.

Luke gripped the second release with both hands. Pain tore through his injured fingers, but Luke didn’t stop. He forced the brace to open, seized the core, and pulled. It resisted for one breath, then tore free of the housing in a shower of sparks. The receiver’s whine rose beyond hearing, leaving a painful pressure inside Luke’s skull.

“Connal!”

Connal dropped the hose and turned.

Luke threw the core onto the wet rooftop between them.

Connal understood.

He raised his sword and brought it down with all his strength.

The core shattered. Light exploded across the roof.

Energy raced through the water surrounding the platform and followed the buyer’s magic back toward its source. His own power recoiled through the connection. His shield flared brilliant white, then collapsed. The backlash struck him in the chest and lifted him from his feet. He hit the rooftop several yards away and lay still.

Behind Luke, the receiver gave one final mechanical shudder before every red light went dark.

Around the platform, two of the buyer’s guards lay unmoving. The third stared at the body sprawled across the roof, then abandoned the fight and ran for the stairwell.

Asterius started after the fleeing man but stopped when the masked leader spoke.

“Tracking threat neutralized. Begin extraction.”

There was no triumph in his voice. No anger over the warriors he had lost. The tracking threat was gone. That was all that mattered. The leader touched the stone at his throat. Green-black power surged through it and the arch responded. The darkness inside the gate opened.

Wind tore toward it, dragging water and loose debris across the roof. The masked warriors moved at once. Two retreated through the gate while the others formed a defensive line in front of the opening.

“They’re getting away,” Luke yelled.

“Not yet.” Connal retrieved his sword and charged.

Keir and Asterius moved with him. Zer tucked Avaneel safely into his hair before joining his brothers.

The masked warriors turned and struck together. Dark magic ripped across the rooftop, forcing the brothers apart and buying the leader enough time to reach the gate. He backed toward it without lowering his weapon, taking in Connal, Luke, and the destroyed receiver.

He had seen them. Whoever waited beyond the gate would know exactly who had interfered.

The leader stepped backward into the darkness and vanished. His remaining warriors followed. One reached the gate with blood running down his side. Another covered him until the injured warrior crossed, then turned to withdraw.