Contents
Chapter Twenty-One. Impulse
Overview
Outside the pub, Walden and Mark share a charged kiss before multiple wild incursions tear open in Covent Garden. Walden channels the Phoenix to erect visible perimeters and begins collapsing cracks. Laura arrives, stabilizes weak wards, and cleanly dispatches demons with sharpened technique. Walden kills and siphons a sixth‑order as Marshals reach the scene.
Summary
Leaving the pub for air, Walden and Mark banter and finally kiss amid drifting December snow and Christmas lights in Covent Garden. The Phoenix inside Walden prickles with warning, and moments later several purplish incursion lines rip open across the street. Walden resists the Phoenix’s attempt to seize her body and tries to warn bystanders as demons press toward reification.
Recognizing she cannot fight six alone, Walden summons the Phoenix’s power to prioritize containment. She forges multiple warded perimeters—made visible in scarlet and gold—to isolate each breach and protect nearby shops rich in magical potential. While she strains to hold circles and collapse cracks, Mark drives the crowd back.
Laura arrives in her Marshal whites, instantly shoring up shoddy commercial wards and then stepping into a hot sector to engage a fifth‑ and a sixth‑order. Walden notes Laura’s improved, theory‑honed precision, concluding Laura has been studying academic magic alongside Marshal technique. With defenses steadied, Laura methodically carves down the threats.
A nearby sixth‑order identifies Walden as the linchpin and advances, half‑formed as drifting snow. Walden blasts it with simple banishments, then, urged by the exultant Phoenix, finishes with golden claws and immediately siphons the dispersed power through her tattoos, tasting cold as the magic is consumed. Sirens rise, and the Marshals arrive to take over.
Who Appears
- Dr Sapphire WaldenCenters herself, resists Phoenix control, erects visible perimeters, collapses cracks, and kills then siphons a sixth‑order.
- Laura KenningArrives in Marshal whites, reinforces weak wards, and cleanly dispatches demons with newly sharpened, academic precision.
- Mark DauberyFlirts and kisses Walden; helps clear bystanders by commanding the crowd during the sudden incursions.
- The PhoenixUrges battle and control; lends power for containment and the killing strike; revels as Walden siphons magic.
- MarshalsArrive as reinforcements at the end to assume control of the scene.