T R Cameron [Cameron - Agents of Order

This book is a work of fiction.

C ara turned slowly to gaze out at the surreal landscape that stretched to the horizon in every direction. Above, too far to be seen clearly but nonetheless sensed as an urge to duck, an array of pointed stalactites hung, ominous and threatening. The ground beneath her feet was the cracked soil of a desert, its copper tint doubtless the result of the spilled lifeblood of those who had battled there before. The visible land faded quickly into darkness.

She finished her full circle to face two figurestwins and opposites. On the left was an ebony-haired woman clad entirely in white-leather medieval armor festooned with matching bands and buckles from the colorless boots below to the thick collar protecting her neck. Her ears were pointed, her cheekbones sharp, and her lips soft and lush. The elfs haughty expression suggested judgment. Cara shied away from it and turned her head to the beings mirror image. He wore the same armor but all black, and his features were identical with only the slightest firmness to his features to convey masculinity instead of femininity. White hair stood in dramatic contrast to the rest of his appearance, as the dark mane had for the other. He, too, gazed at her condescendingly from above his folded arms.

A hasty glance downward confirmed that she wore her most comfortable combat outfitboots, tactical pants, and the tight black tunic ARES agents used as a base layer. The standard wrist-length sleeves were cut off at the shoulders to leave her muscular arms bare. The light wind that rippled through the area warmed her skin with its touch. She shook her head once and felt the weight of her long hair captured in a warriors knot at the top of her neck, ensuring it wouldnt get in the way of the fight that was sure to come. The air seemed to vibrate with the imminent threat posed by the twins.

So, apparently, its to be a battle.

The woman on the left laughed, and it was less cold than shed expected. Indeed, it is to be a battle.

Cara groaned. Great, they can read minds.

Now the man laughed, the sound identical to his twins. Yes, we can read your mind anyway, bearer.

She squinted in confusion until the moments before shed landed in this place returned to her brain. Nylotte and Diana had stood over her and tightened the straps to secure her to a table in the basement of the Dark Elfs shop. She recalled thanking them and surrendering to the mental pressure of the paired daggers that comprised part of the Rhazdons Vengeance artifacts, then remembered nothing more before her appearance in that desolate place.

She narrowed her eyes. So, Angel and Demon, I presume. She nodded to the light and the dark in turn. They returned the gesture with identical movements, obviously still amused. In response, she offered a sardonic grin. I dont suppose were here to chat about how our partnership will work?

The duo laughed again and now, it sounded like real pleasure was present. Angel tossed her black hair dramatically. No, talking is not

our preferred mode of conversation, Demon finished.

Cara sighed and rolled her shoulders. I assume its not one at a time, either, right?

Together, they replied, What would be the fun in that? With that, they attacked.

Angel led the way and circled away from her twin as she stalked forward. Cara responded with her own evasive circle to increase the distance from her darker opponent and put his sibling in white between them. Angel was suddenly in range, her advance so fast it failed to register, and she swung a fist. The agent jerked her head to the side and the blow narrowly missed her left ear and she replied with a two-punch combination to the womans sternum. Both strikes connected, but the layers of belts and armor prevented damage to anything other than her knuckles. I wish I'd imagined myself some gloves. She barely ducked aside to avoid the spinning back fist that slashed diagonally at her face. Immediately, she countered with a leg sweep, but Angel skipped over it with ease.

Midway through the motion, Cara caught a flash of black in her peripheral vision, and flung herself aside, and rolled as soon as she landed. Demons first kick missed, but the next one struck her in the back and propelled her into a faster roll. She used the momentum to leap to her feet in time to catch his follow-up axe kick on crossed forearms. His eyes widened as she grinned and delivered a low front kick into his crotch that forced him to stumble back several feet. She frowned when he failed to drop in agony. He mustve seen the question in her expression because he gave her a condescending grin. Angels and demons are ill-equipped, to borrow a phrase, unless they choose otherwise. And, in battle, who would? She fell back as Angel appeared beside him and they attacked together.

Okay, theyre both fast, and body blows wont work.Its time to start breaking stuff. She backpedaled, blocked with the minimum required effort to conserve her energy, and waited for an opening. The duo fought as if they had battled together forever. They stayed out of one anothers way and used opposing attack vectors that challenged her ability to defend against them. For all she knew, they did have eons of battle time as a unit. Diana had explained how ancient magic users had transferred the spirits of great warriorswilling or unwillinginto objects of power. This pair certainly seemed to have been chosen for their martial prowess.