CRITICAL POINT/ THE BLACK KING (MAGIC CHRONICLES #1)

Chapter 2:

Friday, 7:02 p.m.

In the dark alley

Commerce City, Colorado, USA

        At that moment, their surroundings began to vibrate, akin to a mild earthquake. The robed figures began to snarl as a triangular diagram appeared in the air between them and Laura. It glowed brightly, almost blinding them. Laura shielded her eyes until the brightness disappeared. In place of the diagram, two men stood instead.

        These men were a curious sight, with their short-sleeved black cassocks. On their hands, they wore white gloves embroidered with gold crosses, with a circle at the center that gave it the appearance of a Celtic crucifix.

        “Intel, Tracker 12 has penetrated isolation zone,” one of them said, “Confirming positive scanner alert.”

        “Vessel has been located,” the other continued, “Preparing to engage Slayers.”

        A small screen floated in front of them, and a girl’s face appeared.

        “Copy that, Tracker 12. Proceed to extract and secure Vessel,” she instructed.

        “Roger that, Hana,” the men acknowledged.

        The hooded attackers snarled. They obviously knew the men.

        “Trackers, they say,” one of them said.

        “They’re MI’s,” another screamed, “Let’s kill them!”

        They began to charge at the cassocked men.

        “Dash, secure the Vessel!” one of the men said, at the same time raising his hand.

        A blast of electricity, in the shape of axes, came out of his hand and caught a small group of Slayers. With a loud thud, they flew into a wall and slumped to the ground, dead.

        “Got it, Metronome,” the other man replied.

        Laura looked with uncertainty as the man named Dash approached her. Something like a reddish haze was wrapping around his body. The man knelt down in front of her and smiled.

        “Don’t worry,” he said, “You’re safe now. We’re here to protect you from those Slayers.”

        Laura could only nod her head. It was also the first time she saw the older man’s face up close. His eyes were glowing bright red.

        With one sweeping movement, he took her in his arms and jumped straight to the top of the buildings. Looking down, Laura saw that the Slayers were busy with the man named Metronome. He was now throwing more electrical axes at the enemy. Most were being brought down by the offensive. By then she noticed his eyes were actually glowing green.