Chapter Twenty-six

Trapped in the burning kitchen with a bullet in his hip and giant scorpions closing in, Harry seizes the rampant storm energy and animates a broom with a cleaning spell, “Pulitas,” to sweep the scorpions off the balcony. The Beckitts shoot the broom and Victor smashes it, while Harry taunts Victor to stall him as the fire spreads.

Victor summons the toad-demon Kalshazzak. Seizing on Victor’s mistake of speaking the demon’s name, Harry asserts command by invoking the name, not to bind it, but to break Victor’s control. The freed demon wavers between targets. With a last gust of wind, Harry slams Victor away from the exit; both men end up grappling at the balcony edge above smoke and scorpion-filled chaos.

As Victor tries to recover and cast, Harry goads him by revealing Monica’s betrayal. The demon lunges and bites into Victor’s throat and shoulder. Harry loops Murphy’s handcuffs around the railing and yanks Victor’s leg, overbalancing demon and sorcerer over the rail. Below, scorpions and Kalshazzak descend on Victor; he dies under stingers and tearing jaws.

Hanging by the cuff and fading, Harry watches flames roll across the ceiling and scorpions grow larger. Morgan storms in through the deck doors, slices down an oncoming scorpion, then advances. As Harry dangles, spent and helpless, Morgan lifts the White Council’s silver sword, poised to strike.