"They got as far as the parking lot access road when black doom torpedoed overhead, poisoned Shadow picking out the mages from the panicked crowd.
They weren't going to make it to the car.
Mason made a grab for his son, who was still in flight. Fletcher jackknifed in the air - the muscle in Mason's shoulder shredded - but he brought his son to his chest and went down on his knees on the street.
He'd have prayed, but if there was a God, he'd long ago forsaken the Shadow born.
Mason curled his body around Fletcher. Screams of fear and pain ripped the air so close, Mason groaned. He strove to make a boy-sized hollow out of his chest and belly, kneeling on the pavement and hugging his son, hands splayed over Fletcher's face and head, his own head bowed to close the man-made cocoon. Within his grasp, Fletcher trembled, his heartbeat fast like a rabbit's. Mason's own heart had stalled. His throat had strangled shut with terror. All necessary body function was diverted into willing his son to live, at any cost, including his own life.
Black, smoky arms of terror reached among the throng, brushing by Mason like whispers of vicious gossip. He felt the Shadow singing in his blood as it drew near; ironic that his aptitude with magic would help him know when his death was near. The dull thump and burn of a body falling nearby brought bile searing onto his tongue. Another Mage down, moaning, then gargling into death."
"They got as far as the parking lot access road when black doom torpedoed overhead, poisoned Shadow picking out the mages from the panicked crowd.
They weren't going to make it to the car.
Mason made a grab for his son, who was still in flight. Fletcher jackknifed in the air - the muscle in Mason's shoulder shredded - but he brought his son to his chest and went down on his knees on the street.
He'd have prayed, but if there was a God, he'd long ago forsaken the Shadow born.
Mason curled his body around Fletcher. Screams of fear and pain ripped the air so close, Mason groaned. He strove to make a boy-sized hollow out of his chest and belly, kneeling on the pavement and hugging his son, hands splayed over Fletcher's face and head, his own head bowed to close the man-made cocoon. Within his grasp, Fletcher trembled, his heartbeat fast like a rabbit's. Mason's own heart had stalled. His throat had strangled shut with terror. All necessary body function was diverted into willing his son to live, at any cost, including his own life.
Black, smoky arms of terror reached among the throng, brushing by Mason like whispers of vicious gossip. He felt the Shadow singing in his blood as it drew near; ironic that his aptitude with magic would help him know when his death was near. The dull thump and burn of a body falling nearby brought bile searing onto his tongue. Another Mage down, moaning, then gargling into death."