exactly the same order: first the screaming-hot desire, then the unbearable drive to possess, and finally the headlong pitch into berserker rage. But they happened faster and burned ten times fiercer.
Murdoch actually heard himself snarl the word “mine” before he lost all rational thought and grabbed for Kiyoko.
Kiyoko had purposely tried to re-create the unexpected nature of the touch—a glancing, chance encounter. But she was completely unprepared for the dramatic change Murdoch underwent.
One moment he was honorably offering to cancel the experiment, the next he was snarling “mine” and reaching for her with blurred speed. Had her reflexes not been honed by real battle with supernatural demons, she might not have evaded his grasp. As his hand whipped out to grab her, she fell back, rolled to the left, and sprang to her feet on the other side of the row of senshi . Even as she rolled, she murmured the words of a second-level onmyōji shield spell.
Good thing, because speed alone would not have kept her safe.
Murdoch barreled through the line of warriors, knocking two aside with a wide sweep of his huge arm, their flimsy first-level shield spells buckling under his onslaught. Uncaring that their katanas sliced into his white T-shirt, Murdoch remained focused on Kiyoko, and his feet followed his eyes. His face was flushed, his eyes glassy, but his attention was unwavering. He came at her like a dynamo of raw purpose and determination.
Several excellent offensive moves passed through her mind.
But she doubted she could hold the fierce Soul Gatherer off. Especially with her insides still quivering like jelly from the aftereffects of his touch—a part of her actually yearned for him to reach her.
She swiftly scuttled back, keeping clear of Murdoch’s grasp and leaving the attacking to the four upright senshi , who promptly leapt after the huge warrior. She did not leave the dojo. To do so would encourage Murdoch to follow, and letting him loose in the compound would only result in more damage.
Instead, she snatched up a bamboo practice sword from the rack on the side wall, ready to fend him off in any way necessary, and kept to the outer edge of the room. Relying on her shield spell would be foolish.
Sora, who was still standing precisely where he’d stood from the start, quietly ordered the warriors to put away their weapons. “His berserker will remain in full control as long as there is potential danger. Continue to stand between him and Kiyoko-san, but do not attack him.”
To the great credit of the senshi , they followed his orders, despite the obvious risk. Almost in unison, their katanas slithered back into their scabbards.
Immediately something changed in Murdoch.
A little less heat in his cheeks, perhaps. Or a little more awareness in his gaze. He remained centered on his objective, however, and shoved one of the unarmed senshi in the chest to reach her. The poor man flew four feet before landing on the wood floor with an audible grunt.
Kiyoko’s advantage lay in her agility. She dodged Murdoch’s lunge and with erratic moves kept several paces ahead of him as he chased her about the room. And every passing minute worked in her favor. Despite his continued interest in claiming her, without a visible threat Murdoch’s rage quickly cooled.
Less than five minutes after their touch, he abruptly stopped. He went from hot and raging to pale and trembling in just a few moments. As he glanced at the fallen senshi , rigid lines of self-disgust appeared on his face.
“Well, that was a royal fuckup.”
“I disagree,” Sora said. “No one is dead, Kiyoko is unharmed, and we have our answer.”
Murdoch raked the long waves of his brown hair back from his face. “I think your men might express a different opinion.”
The uninjured senshi were aiding their fallen brothers, two of whom cradled arms that were likely broken and all of whom were limping.
Sora bowed to the men, offering them his
Murdoch actually heard himself snarl the word “mine” before he lost all rational thought and grabbed for Kiyoko.
Kiyoko had purposely tried to re-create the unexpected nature of the touch—a glancing, chance encounter. But she was completely unprepared for the dramatic change Murdoch underwent.
One moment he was honorably offering to cancel the experiment, the next he was snarling “mine” and reaching for her with blurred speed. Had her reflexes not been honed by real battle with supernatural demons, she might not have evaded his grasp. As his hand whipped out to grab her, she fell back, rolled to the left, and sprang to her feet on the other side of the row of senshi . Even as she rolled, she murmured the words of a second-level onmyōji shield spell.
Good thing, because speed alone would not have kept her safe.
Murdoch barreled through the line of warriors, knocking two aside with a wide sweep of his huge arm, their flimsy first-level shield spells buckling under his onslaught. Uncaring that their katanas sliced into his white T-shirt, Murdoch remained focused on Kiyoko, and his feet followed his eyes. His face was flushed, his eyes glassy, but his attention was unwavering. He came at her like a dynamo of raw purpose and determination.
Several excellent offensive moves passed through her mind.
But she doubted she could hold the fierce Soul Gatherer off. Especially with her insides still quivering like jelly from the aftereffects of his touch—a part of her actually yearned for him to reach her.
She swiftly scuttled back, keeping clear of Murdoch’s grasp and leaving the attacking to the four upright senshi , who promptly leapt after the huge warrior. She did not leave the dojo. To do so would encourage Murdoch to follow, and letting him loose in the compound would only result in more damage.
Instead, she snatched up a bamboo practice sword from the rack on the side wall, ready to fend him off in any way necessary, and kept to the outer edge of the room. Relying on her shield spell would be foolish.
Sora, who was still standing precisely where he’d stood from the start, quietly ordered the warriors to put away their weapons. “His berserker will remain in full control as long as there is potential danger. Continue to stand between him and Kiyoko-san, but do not attack him.”
To the great credit of the senshi , they followed his orders, despite the obvious risk. Almost in unison, their katanas slithered back into their scabbards.
Immediately something changed in Murdoch.
A little less heat in his cheeks, perhaps. Or a little more awareness in his gaze. He remained centered on his objective, however, and shoved one of the unarmed senshi in the chest to reach her. The poor man flew four feet before landing on the wood floor with an audible grunt.
Kiyoko’s advantage lay in her agility. She dodged Murdoch’s lunge and with erratic moves kept several paces ahead of him as he chased her about the room. And every passing minute worked in her favor. Despite his continued interest in claiming her, without a visible threat Murdoch’s rage quickly cooled.
Less than five minutes after their touch, he abruptly stopped. He went from hot and raging to pale and trembling in just a few moments. As he glanced at the fallen senshi , rigid lines of self-disgust appeared on his face.
“Well, that was a royal fuckup.”
“I disagree,” Sora said. “No one is dead, Kiyoko is unharmed, and we have our answer.”
Murdoch raked the long waves of his brown hair back from his face. “I think your men might express a different opinion.”
The uninjured senshi were aiding their fallen brothers, two of whom cradled arms that were likely broken and all of whom were limping.
Sora bowed to the men, offering them his
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