Read Tome of Bill (Companion): Shining Fury for Free Online

way. It was laughable, considering at least half the Templar in attendance were older and presumably more seasoned than I was. Whatever the case, it was the role they expected of me and the one I now played.
    The funny thing was, I felt no fear at the prospect of leading them. Me, who used to fret for hours over what to have for dinner. Now here I was, running my finger over prospective routes, oddly sure that I’d choose the right course. It was times like this when my powers almost felt like they made me into someone entirely new, someone alien to the old me.
    I let it take over, feeling all doubt fade as I said, “We’ll split up into five groups across as many blocks until we get to here.” My finger came to rest on the Chinatown section of Boston. “If we make it that far unnoticed, there won’t be any point in pretending we’re just tourists anymore.”
    I spared a glance up at the sky, still dark but not for long. A few of the Templar did likewise, possibly misinterpreting my actions as seeking divine insight. I almost longed for someone to make a wisecrack at their expense, but none came. “By then, we should have daylight on our side. Regardless, from that point on we should consider ourselves running hot. Weapons, magic...”
    “And the trappings of our order,” Bernadette added.
    I nodded. That would be akin to waltzing onto a docked Naval vessel and hoisting the Jolly Roger. If that didn’t get us the attention we were hoping for, I didn’t know what would.
    “Until then, we maintain constant contact. If anyone gets into trouble, let the rest know immediately so we can help. Use the radios. Cell service is probably going to be iffy at best.”
    I inwardly grimaced upon saying that. As we’d waited for the rest to park and gather, Meg and I had tried to reach the other group. Unsurprisingly, it had been a failure. She’d gotten their voicemail, while I hadn’t even been able to get a signal. However, she assured me they’d be able to reach out to Christy via their magic. I decided to trust her on that, but we agreed it made sense to get geared up and moving first. Until then, we just had to hope the others were okay.
    I turned to Meg and her sisters. “I’m splitting you up. You’ll be our backup in case the radios fail.” I paused, hoping what I was saying made sense. Though I’d faced some Magi before, I really didn’t have a good understanding of their full capabilities or even how magic worked. “Send up a flare or something.”
    “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Kelly said, exchanging glances with the other two.
    “Yeah, we really shouldn’t do that,” Veronica added nervously.
    “It’s okay,” I reassured her.
    “You can relax,” Bernadette said, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “My brothers will honor our truce ... so long as you do not turn your dark powers upon them.”
    “It’s not that simple,” Kelly said, looking as if she was trying to find the right words. “It’s...”
    “Over there!” one of the Templar shouted, his voice booming in the otherwise still night.
    He pointed toward the direction we needed to head, but I couldn’t see anything in the gloom. The darkness didn’t affect my ears, though. After a moment, I heard it. Something was definitely moving out there. The night wasn’t nearly as still as I’d thought.
    Before I could call upon my power, several of the Templar switched on their flashlights.
    Under the illumination, figures could be made out walking … shambling our way. As they got closer, I realized that I was right to not immediately label them as people.
    So much for the element of surprise.
     

CHAPTER 8
    “ And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
    Meg turned to Bernadette. “Revelations?”
    “Book of Daniel 12:2.”
    “Whatever. I’m thinking it’s safe to say these guys are in that latter group.”
    “At least