The Eldar Warlock dispelled the veil of blurred light and shadow, revealing a slender, elegant figure.
The longsword at the Warlock's waist slid silently from its sheath, its blade shimmering with a pearly sheen, its edge surrounded by an almost invisible energy force field.
Crystal-like eyes swept over the human woman sheltered among the Astartes, and a cold, clear voice with a strange cadence sounded directly in the air:
"Hand her over."
"Dream on."
Strange forced the words through gritted teeth.
"Xenos."
Volando, captain of the Word Bearers Tactical Squad, gave an equally terse response.
The next second—
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
The roar of Bolters tore apart the brief silence. The Ultramarines and Word Bearers fired almost simultaneously, sending scorching crossfire at the Aeldari squad from two directions.
Muzzle flashes lit the passage blindingly bright. Billowing gunsmoke mingled with the lingering dust, churning through the air.
Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang!
Metallic impacts rang out in a barrage as dense as rain hammering broad leaves.
The Eldar Warlock at the front raised the long blade, ready to counter.
The Warlock's figure became a streaking afterimage, the longsword whirling into a silver-blue wheel of light.
Bolts struck the blade, only to be precisely deflected and sent ricocheting away, blasting chains of sparks and craters into the walls and floor.
Each parry brought a faint hum of clashing energies and a shower of sparks. The longsword was clearly no ordinary metal weapon; the force field around its blade could redirect the Bolts' kinetic energy.
The Warlock advanced steadily through the hail of fire, still elegant, yet every step carried a deadly pressure.
Bang!
A distinctly different report drowned out the Bolter volley.
At the other end of the passage, an Ultramarine reloading his weapon suddenly lost his entire Helmet and almost