Page 40 of Urzra

Creel Lawson flicked a look at Xathan and sneered.He wasn’t the only one of Rahab’s crew who had dark skin.Most were white, but there was a spattering of other races in their squad.He silently vowed to eliminate them all, starting with Xathan and his ilk.

Xathan read his own murder on the prepper’s face and stared back at him coolly.If Mr.Lawson made another attempt on his life, he would come good on his promise.He would slaughter the human’s wife and two teenage sons to teach him a lesson.Only when everyone he loved was gone would Xathan end the bigot’s suffering.

Phul took in the feuds that were going on amongst the people who were supposed to be their allies.Rahab couldn’t be counted on to keep the peace anymore.His commander’s mind was still fixated on GG’s desertion.This was supposed to be their final war against their current foes, which meant they all needed to stay focused on their task.Instead, everyone was distracted by their own petty problems.

He couldn’t see how they could navigate their way through the battles ahead if everyone was going to turn on each other.But he kept his mouth shut because he was only Rahab’s second in command.The only thing stopping him from killing his leader himself was that there was no guarantee he would take his place.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

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JAZMINE SEDAKA SENSEDdozens of soldiers racing past her apartment building not long after night fell.Her sire was amongst them.She left the couch the moment Lachial was no longer within her range.Already dressed in dark clothing, she pulled on black sneakers and pocketed her key.

Breathing in the fresh air when she left the building through the back exit, the cambion knew something big had happened.She didn’t care what it was, she was just glad it gave her the opportunity to further hone her skills.

Lachial usually only checked on her during the day now.The gullible fool thought she was firmly beneath his control.So far, no one had put two and two together.No one knew she was the one responsible for murdering so many mercenaries.

Giggling beneath her breath, she raced southward, easily avoiding the humans who were on patrol.Taking the Williamsburg Bridge, she crossed into Brooklyn and went on the hunt.It wasn’t as easy to pick her victims off one by one now.They were too terrified to walk alone at night.Now, they remained in their patrols of up to ten people.

She lucked out a few minutes later and saw two men hurrying along the sidewalk together.None of the buildings in the other boroughs had power, unless they had solar panels and a battery to store power on.Clouds hid the moon, giving her perfect conditions to work in.

Jazmine trailed after the pair.She waited until they cut down an alley before she struck.Lifting her arms, she made a throwing motion.Shadows became solid beneath her command.Black ropes of magic looped around the humans’ necks and yanked them backwards.Tearing at the bonds in futile panic, they gasped for breath, unable to take air in as they dangled two feet above the ground.

The cambion pushed the shadows away, revealing herself.“Let’s see what sort of rats I’ve caught in my trap,” she said as she examined them.Their legs were kicking in their desperation to get free.One of them went for the gun at his hip.A tendril of shadow branched off from the one around his neck.It plucked the weapon free and tossed it aside.“You two have been bad,” Jazmine said, scanning their souls.They were as black as the shadows that were holding them aloft.

“What are you?”one of the men choked out.

“I’m your doom,” she replied with an insane grin.She knew they were beyond redemption, not that she particularly cared.All of the inhabitants of this city would die by her hands.Once New York was empty, she would move on.Bit by bit, she would eradicate every living soul until she would finally have the peace she craved.

Lifting her hands again, Jazmine crafted more ropes made out of shadows.She knew her time was limited, but she wasn’t a fool.Seeing a dumpster at the far end of the alley, she reached towards it.Shadows solidified and pushed the heavy metal container towards her.A tendril lifted the lid and held it open.

“What are you going to do to us?”the human wheezed breathlessly.His friend seemed to be having a heart attack.His face was red and sweat poured from him.He was making weird choking noises.

“I’m going to kill you, of course,” the shadow wielder said, then her hands rose.Both men were lifted up high, then she slammed them into the dumpster.More shadows boiled into the container, grabbing hold of their limbs.She ambled over and peered into the dumpster, then clenched her fists.When her fingers sprang open, her victims were torn apart.Bloody chunks of meat splattered against the metal walls.“That never gets old,” she said, chuckling at the unsightly mess she’d just made.

Motioning with her hand, the lid gently swung shut, hiding the bodies.They would eventually be found once they began to stink, but no one could tie their murders to her.