Michael (The Curse) (The Airel Saga, Book 3: Part 5-6) by Aaron Patterson, Chris White

my head.
    “Go on with your bad self, then. I’ll be right here if you need me. This place is way creepy.”
    I nodded and stepped through the rubble toward the doorway. I could make out little details, but not many. “Be careful,” She said. I kept picking my way over the rubble.
    “So, what—Kim’s intuition is right?” I asked under my breath.
    Nothing.
    I stopped and closed my eyes, focusing. Better not to take chances, especially given how quiet She had been lately. I hoped that if Kreios was still close, I could reach out and find him with my mind, possibly break loose and let him know I was here, that I was alive. I waited for something, but nothing happened. I felt really foolish, like an amateur in a pro world. “Come on. No use being all quiet now,” I said quietly. “You’re the one who might be able to help me right here, right now. Please.”
    I stood motionless. Finally She stirred again. I plugged my ears, drowning out the sound of the wind and rain. “One is coming who will guide you on your path. Only be careful.” Classic She; I got nothing more.
    “You know what, you are impossible.” I opened my eyes and walked on, toward the black doorway. “This is stupid. What do we think we’re gonna find? A love note, telling us where he’s going next? To go kill and destroy?”
    Just as I reached the frame of the door, a chill feeling crept into me. I turned back to Kim, but she was in the zone, looking off to the horizon, in her own world. I shrugged off the feeling and turned back toward the doorway. I picked my way through crumbled brick and splintered ash. It was dark, and I had to pause to let my eyes adjust. I looked down and around on the floor inside the huge room. It was pitch black; I couldn’t see anything beyond the first few feet inside the room.
    A flash of bright light, and I was spun around. Something—someone—grabbed and yanked me from the side and I went down hard. I rolled over quickly and managed to get to one knee. Immediately my senses kicked in, full force.
    Thanks for the warning. Clearly She was laying down on the job.
    I looked up to see a woman—a girl about my age—standing over me with a short curved sword.
    I sprang to my feet. I reacted out of shock, grabbing her outstretched wrist, yanking her off balance. She pitched forward. I forced her to foul her blade against the ground, safely away from my body, and hit her hard as she came into me. I smacked her in the forehead with the heel of my hand, right between the eyes. The girl’s head snapped backward, and she twisted back and around and away.
    I scrambled to my feet. I knew my opponent would waste no time in renewing her attack and I wanted to be ready.
    “Stop.” The voice was so loud that it reverberated through my body. It was Michael.
    The girl was on her feet again, but she stole a glance in his direction. I took the opportunity. I punched her across the jaw and followed that up with my elbow. The sword clanged to the ground and she dropped to her knees.
    I snatched it up and stood over her at the ready.
    “Stop!” Michael shouted.
    I took a step back.
    The girl was seething, staring daggers into me.
    “Don’t move or you will never move again.” I growled through my teeth at her. I would not lose my advantage. She would not touch me again.
    Kim came running around the corner, sliding to a clumsy stop on a low pile of debris. “Airel, where did you get a sword?” She stopped when she saw me standing over the girl. “What—”
    “Airel,” Michael said, “just calm down. I’ve got this.”
    I dared to glance at him for the first time, quickly bringing my eyes right back to my foe. It took a few seconds to register in my mind. He has a gun. Where did he get a gun? It was aimed squarely at the girl.
    “I’ve got her. She’s not going anywhere. Just step back slowly and—”
    “Shut up. Both of you.” The girl spoke with an accent. It sounded Australian, but not quite. “Just listen to