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Chapter Forty: ‘A treacherous clash...’
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Hector was not wearing his helm--or any metal for that matter. It was obvious enough that the dark-skinned man down there was the one Gina had warned him about. Wearing armor would only be to Karkash’s advantage.

It had certainly been a surprise to see the two men fighting. Hector had expected to find someone merely laying waste to the town for no other reason than enjoyment, but now, he wasn’t sure what to make of the situation. Garovel had wanted him to wait for an opening before intervening, but that idea had been sufficiently squashed as soon as he saw Karkash about to fry that restaurant full of people.

“Please help!” yelled Stoker.

Hector didn’t know who the man was, but he was surprised to hear such a plea. Was this guy really Abolish? Karkash certainly was, but maybe this other servant was Vanguard.

He didn’t have much time to think about it. He saw Karkash’s hand move toward Stoker, and Hector made another spire. Again, it caught the lightning and dispersed it.

The lightning itself was a mere flash--much too quick to react to. So instead, Garovel had advised him to watch Karkash’s hands. At the moment, Hector couldn’t imagine a more valuable piece of information.

Garovel had stayed close, floating just behind him. ‘Good. That man could be an ally.’

‘He could also be an enemy,’ said Hector.

‘That he could. Be very cautious.’

Abruptly, Karkash seized both of Hector’s spires and launched them at Stoker. Hector barely annihilated them in time.

‘As expected,’ said Garovel, ‘he can use your own metal against you.’

‘This fucking sucks...’

Karkash glared at Hector now, granting his full attention.

He half-expected Karkash to stop and say something, to tell him how irritating he was being or ask him why he was here, maybe. But the man did no such thing.

Lightning came for Hector and was diverted with a rooftop spire. And once the electricity subsided, he could see Karkash already flying toward him.