Maulers … Why does it have to be Maulers?
These guys are the workhorses for a Witch Hunter. They’re nimble and super-fast zombie types that do all the heavy lifting in combat so a Hunter can gain the upper hand in a fight. Born of dark magic—one of three spells the Elders “borrowed” from witches—Maulers are only as strong as the person who controls them. This Hunter must be a beast, because the max number of Maulers any single Hunter has been able to command at one time is four. To put it in perspective, I could only command two at a time on a good day, and one of them was practically useless and really only played the part of a glorified punching bag.
I can hear their snarls echo throughout the room as I try and steady my breathing. They don’t seem to be moving though. They must be waiting for something.
All right, I may be a bit rusty at this, but here goes nothing.
I draw in one last calming breath as I mull over the fact that I could change my mind and run away like the rest of the partygoers. Shaking my head, I jump to my feet and spin around to face the three with my hand instinctively grabbing for one of the bolts protruding from the recliner. A gasp parts my lips when I’m met with the very last visual I was expecting. A fourth figure is now standing amongst the three Maulers, holding a Guild-certified automatic crossbow pointed in my direction.
“Malcolm?” The name escapes my mouth before I have a chance to swallow it.
A confused look crosses my older brother’s face. “Sorry, but do I know you?” he asks.
* * *
If you enjoyed Rout of the Dem-Shyr, check out these books, also by Raine Thomas.
New Adult Contemporary Romance
For Everly
Meant for Her
Young Adult Fantasy Romance
Becoming
Central
Foretold
Firstborn Trilogy
Defy
Shift
Elder