They’d gone for reinforcements.


    The two guards that had run off were there, swords drawn and looking very afraid. Half of the soldiers that were lined up looked like they would have gone anywhere else if they’d been given the chance. I’d seen a lot of Humans that thought fighting Zombies was a glorious job, but most of them wore the same look that was on the faces of the men without helmets. I had a feeling that most of the ones with helmets had a similar expression.


    “If you don’t stop pointing those weapons at me, I’m going to take them and shove them in whatever hole I can find.” Fyga locked eyes with one of the crossbowmen. “Even if I have to make one so it’ll fit.”


    The young man swallowed and let his weapon point at the ground.


    “Good boy.” Fyga looked around. I was amazed at how many of them were lowering their weapons.


    “WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? KILL...!!!” Theo lost the ability to speak when Fyga clasped her hand over his mouth. When she removed it, there was a chunk of ice sealing his mouth closed.


    “You had Touched in your city.” I shook my head as I tried to figure out which guard was most likely to attack us.


    “I see that.” The mayor guided two guards apart to make room for him to walk up to Fyga, who was still sitting on his son. “Oh Theo, what have you done?”


    “We need to speak with you.” I reversed the grip on my sword so that it looked less threatening. The tension had died down, but I still wasn’t comfortable enough to sheathe it.


    “Forgive me if I can’t take the word of an abomination into consideration.” The mayor spat out the word as he glared at me. “How do I know you weren’t the ones that did this and staged this whole thing to try to cover up your mess?”


    “I…” He had a point. It was possible from his perspective. I thought about pulling out the papers that stated I was a Potential that was checking in on cities as part of my trial, but even if he believed they weren’t faked, there was no way for me to prove that I was Byler. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    “Surely they told you that I was the one who stopped the plague cloud that was turning people almost instantly.” It was the only way I could think of that he might trust me. If he could admit that I wasn’t part of the group that attacked the city, then maybe he would trust me a little.


    “Maybe destroying the city was part of your plan.” The mayor didn’t sound convinced.


    “Your son turned into a Touched and you’re questioning our loyalty?” Fyga stood up.


    Theo strained to get up as soon as the smaller person was off of him, but he was locked to the ground with ice shackles around his upper arms.


    “Mhmph!” The big man tensed against the restraints.


    “If we’re looking for traitors then why don’t we start with the traitor’s son!” Fyga scanned the guards.


    None of them looked like they were willing to believe her over their leader. Which meant that we needed to prove ourselves fast.


    “My companions have been going out every day and working to take back this city. They’ve been bringing in survivors and killing Zombies so you don’t have to risk your lives.” I eyed the mayor as I motioned at Theo. “And this is the thanks we get?”


    “I…”


    “And another thing.” I cut off the mayor. “Are you Lord Doswan?”


    The older man bristled. “Where did you hear that name?”


    “I take that as a no.”


    “No, I am not Lord Doswan.” The mayor straightened. “I would never deal with that pig. I am Theodore Brimly the second.”


    I looked down at what I assumed was Theo the third. There was nothing but hate on the younger Brimly’s face.


    “That’s who your son claimed to be working for.” It felt good to see the reaction on the mayor’s face. It looked like he was finally starting to believe us.


    “It doesn’t matter, we can’t have Touched in the city.” The mayor nodded at his guards. “Escort them to the edge.”


    The amount of Zombies hiding in the buildings just outside the gate was starting to grow to levels where they’d be able to push the gate down just out of sheer force. I looked over at Fyga. If we left now, I had no doubt that the whole sector would be overrun before Eveth and Val got back.


    “No. We’re not leaving.” I glared at the mayor, then did the only thing I could think to do.


    I threw my hand in the air and shot pure magic into the air, shining a purple beacon over us.