A second circulatory system appeared standing just across the room.
A pregnant moment passed as the newcomer took in the scene. Without warning, an announcement, or even a movement, he launched an attack.
Heat raced over Eva’s back. She could feel it through her clothes, through the pain of her shoulder. The heat created a sound. A roar not unlike the engines of the jet that took her to Brakket.
Sister Cross tried to take a step away.
Eva’s good arm shot out around her already injured leg. The needles of her claw sank into the nun’s flesh.
The nun’s shield didn’t impede Eva. She was too close. It did stop whatever Wayne Lurcher launched at the nun.
He didn’t like that. The stream of heat intensified over Eva’s head.
Sister Cross kicked Eva in the stomach. Her hand reflexively released its hold over the nun’s leg.
Eva skidded across the room.
Eva’s back–her shoulder hit something. She wasn’t sure what. Almost all of her flecks were concentrated around the nun.
Wayne Lurcher didn’t let up. He activated his own shield as the nun threw lightning in his direction.
Eva could tell it fractured. The sound of breaking glass echoed through the room. His shield wasn’t even a quarter as strong as the shields the nuns used.
Still, it didn’t shatter.
It did take its toll.
Eva could see his entire body strain to repair his shield without letting up his attack.
He didn’t hold on long enough.
Sister Cross fired three bolts of lightning at the same time. One obliterated his shield. The second and third hit both of his legs.
The blood in his legs reacted oddly. It warped. All the veins and arteries twisted in on themselves before snapping back to normal.
Eva hadn’t been paying attention when she had been hit to know if that happened to her.
Whatever it was, it didn’t help him. Wayne cried out as he fell to his knees.
None of that stopped the heat in the room. Wayne continued his attack.
Sister Cross hit an object out of his hand.
The heat faded.
For a second.
Something popped out of Wayne’s sleeve and the heat resumed. Hotter than before.
Eva liked heat, but this… she could be standing on the sun for all she knew.
Sister Cross’ heart rate picked up. Eva could almost hear the fractures forming in her shield. The roar of whatever made the heat overpowered any actual sounds.
She tried to knock Wayne Lurcher’s new focus out of his hand. Her lightning pinged against his newly formed shield. Unlike Sister Cross’ shield, his did not survive the strike. The sound of glass shattering echoed though the room.
“Stop!”
Eva noticed a third circulatory system rush into the fray. She dashed straight at Sister Cross.
The nun turned to face her. Her heart skipped three beats.
Wayne Lurcher managed to shut off his attack just as Shalise tackled Sister Cross.
“What are you doing girl?” Wayne Lurcher shouted.
“Stop fighting!”
Even without being able to see, Eva could tell there were tears streaming down Shalise’s face.
“W-Whatever it is, it is a mistake.”
“Shal.”
Wayne gripped his wand–if that was what he held–his jaw clenched. He seemed like he wanted to continue fighting. When he raised his wand, Eva thought he was about to attack.
The door slammed shut with a motion of his wand.
His teeth grit together hard enough that it was a wonder his teeth weren’t cracking. “What is going on.” He didn’t ask. He ordered. His jaw didn’t move in the slightest.
“She attacked me,” Eva said. Pain flared up in her shoulder as she tried to point. She bit down the burn and glared at the nun. “Without warning or provocation. I was sitting at my desk. My back was turned.”
Wayne’s head turned towards Eva’s bed.
Eva didn’t have her full range of vision–her flecks were still centered around Sister Cross–but she could imagine there wasn’t much left but splinters. A brief thought wondered if Basila had been destroyed. Eva didn’t know how hardy those sculptures were.
“You monstrosity,” Sister Cross’ hand rose in Eva’s direction.
Despite his lower legs both being injured, Wayne vanished with a blast of cold air. He reappeared between the nun and Eva. His wand trained on her. “Do not move. More instructors are coming. You cannot fight them all. Cease or the dean
A twitch ran through Sister Cross’ face. Her arm dropped to her side. Her teeth clenched almost as hard as Wayne Lurcher’s teeth. “My augur. What did you do with her?”
Eva blinked. Eva blinked again. “What.”
“You kidnapped her.”
“I did not.”
“Maybe not personally. You sent a demon. There were traces of demonic corruption covering the building.”
Eva could see Wayne’s eyes tilt in her direction, just slightly. His head and body still faced the nun.
This was not a conversation she wanted to have with him around. Or Shalise. Or other instructors.
