The Divine Twelve (Urban-Fantasy)

Chapter twenty-five: Round One

"There ya go." Sahir chimed, grunting as he leaned over to collect the partially melted candles.

Ilah and JJ stood, grinning at each other as they began walking out of the room. Kori walked in as they reached the door, the two stopping and looking back at Shair.

"Oh, you guys are done?" Kori raised an eyebrow. "They're unlinked?"

Sahir nodded, collecting a few pouches and vials and walking towards her. "How much longer do we have until everything starts?"

"Half an hour." Kori nodded her focus switching back to the kids. "You guys ready?"

"Yeah." JJ huffed, fiddling with the ring of his daggers.

Ilah crossed her arms, "My moms not going to like this."

"She's not going to like hearing that you're a thief either," Una'Myus said through the open door, Mike standing behind her.

"She doesn't need to know." Ilah frowned, looking between her and Mike. "And I didn't want to know that either."

"Well then stop being a nosey body." Una'Myus shot the girl a grin. "I'll be on the field, don't die you guys." Her grin faded as she scanned the kids over. "Have too much left to do."

She walked away, leaving the four in the room. Kori let out a heavy sigh, placing her hands on the backs of the two youngest teens. "You heard the lady, let's go."

"Wait before they go, Ilah, this is yours," Sahir said, waving a hand as his grimoire appeared and settled into his open palm.

"The book?" Ilah raised an eyebrow, "Now is not the time for class."

"No smartass." Sahir sighed. "This."

A golden axe appeared, its blade and handle decorated with swirls of pink and black. Ilah grabbed the axe and juggled it between her hands. She turned it over, admiring the pink gem buried into the golden metal.

"We don't have much time left." Kori ushered the kids out. "Let's go."

Sahir headed out the door and started for the center of the medical facility. He opened the office door and smiled at Ori and Nodin sitting together at the small table in the corner.

"So after he makes the fog, he's coming back here right?" Ori asked Sahir, squeezing his fiance's hand.

"That's the plan. Lennox should be here soon to come to get him." Sahir carefully placed the things he was holding down. "We'll be safe here.

There was a knock and Lennox opened the door. "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be." Nodin sighed, standing and kissing Nodin. "I love you, I'll be back."

He followed Lennox out of the building, passing houses and groups of civilians, elderly, and children being escorted toward the small hospital.

They walked to the frontlines, stopping beside Penelope who was crouched, her fingers entangled in blades of grass.

"All you have to do is make the fog cover the treeline, then get back to the hospital as fast as you can." Lennox squeezed the man's shoulder.

Nodin nodded, stepping forward a little bit and holding out his hands. Seconds passed and nothing happened. He sighed and dropped his arms, turning back towards Lennox. "I can't."

"You can." Penelope stood, the grass climbing higher to stay in contact with her hands.

Nodin frowned at the grass, his eyes drifting back to Penelope. "How?"

"You gotta picture it." Penelope rubbed her eyes. "Imagine it and focus on that image." Lennox nodded beside her, the hint of a smile playing at his lips.