Sunday Snippet – Spring Blight

The witch commanded, pulling out her sword. Mamuna turned her head, and two glowing eyes bored into Ina’s mind, trying to reach the depths of her soul, but the mirror wall rebuffed the sinister will. The demon hissed at the failure of her attack and turned the rest of her body to face Ina.

‘Leave her alone. I don’t want to hurt you in your home, but if you cause my friend any harm, you will die.’

Ina tried to remain calm and reason with the creature, but the unnatural stillness of Velka’s body didn’t make it easy. Mamuna’s throaty laugh echoed in the small chamber.

‘Hurt? Oh no, she and the one she carries are precious and mine, but I will suck the marrow from your bones with pleasure, little witch.’

The demon leapt toward Ina so fast her body seemed to blur, claws erupting from her arthritic hands. Eyes widening in fear, the witch fell back, crashing into the filthy hearth as razor-sharp claws tore through her thigh. Blood splattered on her face, bringing clarity, and Ina lashed out wildly with her sword, missing as the mamuna dodged, attacking from a different angle.

There was no Mar or Ren to save her, and despite her gnarled body, this demon was faster and stronger than any human. Ina parried one clawed hand with her sword, cutting a few fingers, but the other tore into her forearm, drawing blood. Pain seared her mind, but the demon was close, creating the perfect opportunity. Magic came at her command, stripping the flames from the hearth, creating a deadly wreath of Chaos that wrapped itself around the demon’s arm. Inhuman shrieking battered Ina’s senses as the Mamuna fell back, her arm disintegrating when the magic tore apart her flesh. Fear widened the demon’s eyes as she retreated, cradling the bloody remains of her limb.

‘I curse you. You will watch one you love die and be the reason for it. You will feel the pain and the burden of your magic, just as I feel it now.’