TWENTY NINE: THE PROPHECY
Lightning shattered the sky like a pane of black glass and shards of rain drove into the fortress. Tara hurled herself out of the way as a giant cat leapt, taking down three Blue Tunics at once. Shaking one in its jaws, it dropped him and darted into the shadows before the others had time to recover. From her position, Tara took a swipe at it with her sword but it passed by too quickly for her to make contact.
She jumped to her feet and sped to one of the barracks. Under its shelter, a group of children huddled together for safety. Mr Magister stood in the porch, waving a torch at two Nagafeles as they closed in on him. He guarded the door, defending the children. His hands were shaking and the edge of his short beard was tinged with blood. Around him the cats h
