CLANN 1: The First Greeting scene 24
Twenty-three people shrunk away from Mav’s flame. They looked haggard: pale, sunken cheeks clung to their bones, their eyes gaunt and lifeless like a fish on ice, and their greasy hair plastered to the sides of their heads.
And Maren, folded against his body, legs trembling despite him steadying her, looked even worse.
“Water,” Maren croaked.
The door Mav had blasted away flung upward and slammed into the ceiling. The creature it had hit was on its feet, making a wet, guttural howl as its tail flailed into the wall and tables Mav could barely see.
“Stay here,” Mav said, gently laying Maren on the floor. He turned to the crowd. “Watch over her.”
The monstrosity bounded toward Mav, front limbs extending.
“Fireblast!” Mav roared.
The explosion struck the creature’s face. Most of its body flew backwards, but its outstretched arms dislodged from its body and sailed behind Mav. The attack had singed the monster’s outer layer, but the skin beneath the blackened crisps undulated. In moments, the burnt sections restored themselves.
Gotta go hotter. Mav took a breath, a chill creeping through his bones. The fire that danced along his back grew brighter, hotter, lighting the room. Dozens of toppled hospital-style beds surrounded a long table covered with beakers, glasses, and vials; a sink dipped at its center. The creature’s tail hit the top of the table, shattering glass, and pulled itself to its feet.
“Fire Stream!” Mav lunged forward, thrusting his arms toward the monster.
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