City of Shadows -Book 1-

Chapter 18

Liam's feet pounded against the shimmering ice bridge, each step sending tremors of magical energy coursing through his body. The Statue of Liberty loomed before him, its iconic silhouette backlit by the rising sun. As he ran, Liam's mind raced faster than his feet, grappling with the weight of recent revelations and the looming threat of the Covenant's attack.

The icy pathway began to crack and splinter beneath him, Ariya's magic already beginning to fade. Liam pushed himself harder, his lungs burning as he gasped for air. He could hear the distant wail of sirens and the thrum of helicopter blades, a discordant symphony of chaos that matched the tumult in his heart.

As he neared the island's shore, Liam caught sight of a familiar face among the throng of police officers and bewildered tourists. Detective Ramirez stood at the water's edge, her eyes widening in disbelief as she watched Liam sprint across the impossible bridge of ice.

"Ashford!" she shouted, her voice barely audible over the cacophony around them. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Liam stumbled onto solid ground, his legs trembling from exertion. He straightened, meeting Ramirez's gaze with a mix of determination and desperation. "Detective," he panted, "we don't have much time. The Covenant—they're here, aren't they?"

Ramirez's expression hardened, her hand instinctively moving to the gun at her hip. "How do you know that name?" she demanded, eyes narrowing with suspicion.

Before Liam could respond, a deafening explosion rocked the island. The ground beneath their feet shuddered, and a plume of acrid smoke billowed up from the base of the statue. Screams of terror erupted from the crowd as panic set in.

"We need to evacuate now!" Ramirez barked, her training kicking in as she began shouting orders to her fellow officers.

Liam grabbed her arm, his voice low and urgent. "Detective, listen to me. This isn't just a terrorist attack. The people behind this—they have abilities beyond your comprehension. Let me help."

For a moment, Ramirez hesitated, the skepticism in her eyes warring with the undeniable evidence of the supernatural she'd witnessed. Finally, she gave a curt nod. "Fine. But you follow my lead, understood?"

Together, they pushed through the panicked crowd, Liam's senses on high alert for any trace of magical energy. As they neared the base of the statue, the acrid stench of dark magic assaulted his nostrils, making him gag.

"They're inside," Liam said, gesturing towards the maintenance entrance. "I can feel their presence."

Ramirez unholstered her weapon, her jaw set in grim determination. "Then that's where we're going."

As they entered the statue's interior, the sounds of battle echoed from above. Liam's heart raced, knowing that every second counted. They ascended the stairs two at a time, the air growing thick with smoke and the crackle of arcane energy.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the haze—a tall, gaunt man with eyes that glowed an unnatural violet. He sneered at the sight of Liam, raising a hand crackling with dark energy.

"Seeker," the man spat, his voice dripping with disdain. "You're too late. The ritual has already begun."

Liam's mind raced, trying to piece together the Covenant's plan. "What ritual?" he demanded, his own hands beginning to glow with protective magic. "What are you trying to do?"

The Covenant member's laughter was cold and mirthless. "We're going to wake the city that never sleeps, Seeker. And when New York burns, your precious Luminary will have no choice but to reveal herself."

Ramirez, her gun trained on the man, looked at Liam in confusion. "What the hell is he talking about?"

But Liam had no time to explain. With a snarl of rage, the Covenant member unleashed a torrent of dark energy. Liam threw up a hasty shield, the impact sending him staggering back against the wall.

"Get down!" he shouted to Ramirez, deflecting another blast of energy that left scorch marks on the metal staircase.

The detective fired her weapon, but the bullets seemed to dissipate harmlessly against an invisible barrier surrounding their attacker. "Shit," she muttered, eyes wide with disbelief.

Liam gritted his teeth, drawing upon every ounce of magical training he'd received. He began to weave a complex pattern in the air, golden threads of energy forming intricate symbols.

The Covenant member's eyes widened in recognition. "No!" he roared, lunging forward.

But it was too late. Liam completed the incantation, and a burst of purifying light exploded outwards. The dark magician screamed in agony as the spell tore through his defenses, leaving him crumpled on the stairs.

Ramirez stared at Liam, her face a mask of shock and awe. "What... what are you?"

Liam met her gaze, his expression grim. "Someone trying to save this city," he said quietly. "Now come on. We're not done yet."

They continued their ascent, the sounds of battle growing louder. As they emerged onto the observation deck, Liam's heart sank at the sight before him. A group of Covenant members stood in a circle, their hands linked as they chanted in an eldritch language.

In the center of their formation, a swirling vortex of dark energy pulsed ominously.

"We have to break their circle," Liam shouted to Ramirez over the howling wind. "If they complete this ritual, it'll unleash chaos across the entire city!"

Ramirez nodded, her professional demeanor reasserting itself despite the madness around them. "I'll take the left flank. You go right."

As they prepared to engage, Liam's thoughts turned to Ariya. He prayed she was safe, that she'd managed to get Nikolai to safety. The memory of her face, determined and proud as she crafted the ice bridge, gave him a surge of strength.

With a battle cry, Liam charged forward, magic blazing from his fingertips. The air crackled with energy as Covenant and Seeker clashed in a desperate struggle for the fate of New York City.

As spells flew and Ramirez's gunshots echoed across the observation deck, Liam found himself locked in combat with a particularly skilled Covenant mage. Their magical energies collided in a dazzling display of light and shadow, each trying to overpower the other.

"You're fighting for a lost cause, Seeker," the mage taunted, his eyes glowing with malevolent glee. "The age of hiding in the shadows is over. Magic will rule this world, and the Covenant will be its masters!"

Liam gritted his teeth, pushing back against the onslaught of dark energy. "You're wrong," he growled. "Magic isn't meant to dominate—it's meant to protect, to heal, to bring balance!"

With a surge of will, Liam channeled his emotions into his magic—his fear for Ariya, his guilt over past secrets, his determination to make things right. The resulting blast of energy sent his opponent flying backward, crashing into the protective railing with a sickening crunch.

But even as Liam turned to face the next threat, he knew they were outnumbered. The vortex of dark energy at the center of the ritual was growing larger, tendrils of chaos beginning to reach out towards the city skyline.

Just when all seemed lost, a familiar voice cut through the chaos. "Liam! Duck!"

He dropped to the ground instinctively, a wave of icy energy sweeping over him. Liam looked up to see Ariya hovering in the air, her eyes blazing with power, the Luminarium Codex clutched tightly in one hand.

Relief and joy surged through Liam at the sight of her. "Ariya! You came back!"

She landed beside him, a small smile playing at her lips despite the gravity of the situation. "Of course I did. We're in this together, remember?"