45. Chapter 45
Chapter 45
Frogmatch grinned at Ria and flashed his needle-like teeth as he started to grow in size. I didn’t allow myself to be distracted by them; my focus was on the huge chimera slinking forward with her eyes fixed on me.
I threw a potion bomb, aiming it at her feet to scare her back. Naturally I missed and struck her full in the chest. The blast sent her rocketing back and she let out a yowl of fury.
Behind Ria, Benji sat up. He grabbed the nearest wooden chair and smashed it over her head. Ria went down like a sack of potatoes.
Frogmatch sighed. ‘I wanted to do that,’ he complained to Benji. ‘I had my eye on that chair.’
‘Why, Mr Frogmatch, I do apologise,’ Benjamin drawled. ‘But I have very limited experience in such matters and I did not want to leave that young lady as a threat for much longer.’
‘Benji?’ I asked urgently.
‘I was able to protect him from the full hit of the deactivation ezro, Miss Amber, but it has knocked him unconscious for the moment. I have been shouting and hollering at him something fierce, and he is certainly coming around. I believe he’ll wake imminently.’
Benjamin paused. ‘In truth, I was hoping he would wake up so he could attack Ria for us. In the meantime I played possum, but I saw the opportunity and I knew I had to seize it.’ He flashed an uncharacteristic grin. ‘I find I now understand a little more about the human pre-occupation with violence. Boxing now makes some sense to me. It is rather fun.’
‘I’m glad you’re enjoying it,’ I said drily. ‘Can we focus? Can you help Frogmatch fight the chimera whilst I get us out of these warding runes that are locking us in here?’
‘Why, of course, Miss Amber. I’m a-fixin’ to kick some chimera butt.’
I looked at him dubiously. He’d done okay with the chair but I wasn’t so confident about his skills against the chimera. However, I had no time to waste and Frogmatch was still growing, so Benjamin was up .
I pulled out my potions and paintbrushes. As I touched the walls and the wards lit up, I stared aghast at the forbidden black runes. This wouldn’t be a quick fix. I mentally rolled up my sleeves and got painting. I tried hard not to get distracted from the sounds behind me. There was a crash and another yowl.
Benjamin laughed. ‘Why, take that you little kitty-cat!’
I tried to tune him out and focus on the runes. One misstep and I’d make the whole room explode. No pressure.
‘Benji!’ Benjamin said aloud. ‘It’s good to have you back, my friend. We’re fighting a chimera! Would you like to take over? I feel this is more in your skillset than mine.’
‘Of course,’ Benji replied politely. ‘We are immune to her fire so it’s only her claws we really need to worry about!’
‘Oh my, I wish I’d known that. That sure is handy,’ Benjamin crowed.
‘The witches tried to think of everything when they made us. I gather there was an incident once with a chimera getting into the Coven chambers. Since then, all golems have been immune to their fire.’
‘All right,’ Frogmatch said. ‘Let me at her! It’s my turn.’
There were more yowls then Frogmatch let out a filthy string of swear words that would have made a sailor wince. ‘That hurt, you damned big pussycat!’ he complained .
I gritted my teeth and focused; I had to trust the men to deal with the chimera and keep it away from me. I kept painting. When I was certain I’d deactivated everything, I pulled my magic through the wards and ripped them down. My shoulders slumped with relief when no explosions followed. ‘Okay.’ I turned around. ‘We can go.’
I blinked at the sight before me. Naturally, it wasn’t going to be as easy as just walking out.