Zia interrupted, bringing the focus back on the task at hand. “They need to close the circle before we interrupt this. If they don’t, demons can be released into the Earthworld.” She sighed, and met my gaze. “This is not something we want.”
“That’s for damn sure.” I stated.
Demons—I shivered. Coming face-to-face with one wasn’t on my wish list. I glanced over at the Black Magic Witches who slowly walked in a circle, continued to chant, but this time it was softer—quieter.
Dante had gone silent as well and remained in his wolf form. Dark fog drifted along their feet. The snakes drawn within the ruin slithered about, moved quickly in sync with their chants.
“It’s closing,” Zia warned us. “Be ready.”
Suddenly, there was a loud bang. The witches’ gazes shot to us, practically frothing at the mouth. With as much force as possible, I drew on my powers and threw fire at them. It crackled loudly as it blasted straight for them.
From that point on, it was complete chaos. Magic was everywhere. Fire, Air, Water—all types of fury unleashed. My shield held strong against it, which made me one lucky witch. I had an added protection from Spirit that no one else did—a blessing for sure.
Just as a blast of thick air hit my shield, Willow shimmered beside me. A calming sensation washed over me as my big black panther stood before me.
“Being your protector is becoming somewhat tiresome,” Willow stated.
“Got that right,” I drew on every strength that lived within me. Every reserve of power I stored, I threw at the witches. My magic connected and as the Fire blasted the witch, Willow shot forward and ripped out her throat.
The witch was dead.
Through the cries and jolts of magic came a low deep growl. It was a furious sound that immediately caught my attention. I quickly glanced in its direction, my gaze landing on Dante. He was a second away from tearing Willow to pieces.
Without a moment’s pause, I drew in quickly, whished air out and caged him where he stood. Just another cool thing I could do. He growled and snapped his teeth viciously. He was safe and wouldn’t be a pest again. I focused back on the witches in front of me.
Their magic was everything darkness is. Shadows of misery surrounded us. Everything quieted around me. I calmed, focused on the witch closest to me. With a deep breath, I drew on the Fire element and sent those flames spiraling toward her. I never let go of the magic, never ceased, not until all that was left of her was dust.
Willow pounced forward again, attacked with great speed, but she didn’t see the fireball coming toward her. I shrieked, but it was already too late. She let out a little scream as she tumbled to the ground.
I couldn’t go to her, had to remain where I stood. If I moved, it would endanger Haven. I positioned myself in front of her, so I could shield her from any threats. The magic couldn’t touch her if it hit my shield first.
She knelt down behind me, leaving her hand fixed to the ground. Zia and I were the only witches here, other than the dark ones, who had the ability to throw magic without touch. Mainly, it was just the two of us fighting. Haven and the others were providing shields against the magic shooting at us.
Being that this was my first real assignment against witches, I didn’t really get the whole gist of it. The more it went on, the more I could see there was strategy here.
Zia had the strongest defensive magic. It would have to be Zia that would need to destroy the witches, but she wasn’t safe like I was with my shield. The other White Magic witches provided that protection for her—using their magic to put up walls, create wind—do anything that would deflect their power away. They did everything possible so Zia could destroy the threat.
The remaining two witches continued to come at us hard, blasting with swirls of fire, swoops of air, just about every type of natural disaster imaginable. One option weighed heavily on me.
Not long ago, I’d discovered that I held the ability to draw the darkness into me. Not accept it in any way, but gain the strength that Black Magic provides. It was an easy way out, but the more I accepted it, the harder it would be to resist it. Zia was sure of that.
In resignation, I let go of that thought and continued to assist Zia in our attack against the witches. Sweat gathered on my skin as it took every ounce of my control to hold my shield against their force.
Zia stepped forward, braced herself, and released the magnitude of her ability. Combining her Air and Water together with such a force, she blew apart the witch in front of her, causing her to explode into tiny particles through the sky.
After the initial shock of seeing Zia’s magnificent powers, I focused on the lone witch. She continued to weave around the magic. Zia went harder, dug down deeper, not letting up for a second. I followed her moves, sent my Fire to join in with Zia’s Air as the other White Magic Witches continued to protect her.
However, it was pointless. This witch held the ability to move in lighting fast speed. Before the magic would hit her, she released her own, and quickly dodged ours.
We needed to end this.
“We have to work together,” I urged Zia.
She squealed as fire blasted up her arm. “Thoughts quickly.”
“You need to distract her, so that I can hold her.”
“Watch closely.”
Over and over Zia went at her, but the witch moved quickly away. My gaze followed her movements, anticipated the way she threw her magic, so I could understand her next move. She weaved her from left to right quickly.
I focused on the rhythm. When I knew I had it right, I released my Air in full force of its strength. The witch instantly realized what we had done. Her eyes went wide as she stood frozen, unable to move. Knowing she was scared shitless expression, I sent a fireball blasting toward her.
Seconds later, it was over.
Without thought, I hurried over to Willow. “Are you okay? Please be okay,” I pleaded, reaching out to touch her. Her chest continued to rise and fall. She was still alive. I drew in a deep breath quickly and sent a blast of Spirit to heal her.
A split second later, Willow jumped to her feet and scowled at me. “Ouch that hurt. You better appreciate what I do for you,” she said, her tone snarky.
I let out a deep breath. Relieved, annoyed—I was just glad she was okay. “I thought she killed you.”
Willow grinned in her feline way. “It takes more than one psycho bitch to knock off this kitten.”
Chapter Eight
When we returned to the Otherworld, Zia joined the Council in her chair and I glanced around. Except for the Witches who had joined in on the fight, and the Council, the hall was empty. “Where’s Kyden?” I asked.
He had been angry, but he wasn’t that mad that’d he wouldn’t wait for me. I was expecting him to snatch me up in his arms when I returned, not leave me deserted.
“Out on assignment,” Talon replied.
This wasn’t good. Well, having Kyden no longer angry was good, but what Talon had just implied was so very bad. “A wolf assignment?” I asked hesitantly.
Talon nodded, reassuringly. “Do not worry yourself. We have sent Finn along with him.”
“It’s not him I’m worried about,” I stated, glancing at Zia.
“I have to agree,” she said grimly. “This is very worrisome.”
Talon raised a brow, missing the gist of our conversation.
“If there was another wolf incident,” I answered his unasked question. “Then, the witches we encountered tonight were not the only ones.”
The light dawned for him,. “I see your point.”
“What do you think this is about?” Haven asked.
Zia shrugged, dumbfounded. “Your guess is as good as mine. I cannot find a reason why the witches would be killing humans. They are no threat to them.” She sighed deeply, her frustrated gaze meeting mine. “There has to be something we are missing.”
Just then, Brax entered the hall and said, “Valor is on his way.”
Dante was lying a few feet away, sleeping soundly. Zia had knocked him out with her magic until we could figure out a solution to this mess. If she hadn’t, he’d been tearing the place apart.
Only seconds past before Valor tore into the hall, running toward Dante. Tension and grief oozed from him. “How did this happen?” he demanded.
Zia raised a comforting hand to his shoulder. “We are unsure of anything right now.”
“Lots of questions with zero answers,” I said, giving Valor a hug. Tonight, he sank right into me. It was hitting him hard and his turmoil flayed through my mind. Instantly, I threw up my block. This wasn’t something I wanted to read. I’d had enough hardships myself, thank you very much.
Valor backed away from me and rubbed his hands along his son’s side. “Is he gone?”
Zia knelt beside him, placed her hand next to his on Dante’s stomach. “He is, yes.”
Valor looked at her, his eyes pleading. “What can we do for him?”
“There is only one way to release him from this.”
Valor jumped up, his shoulders strong, stance ready to go off into battle. “Tell me. I will do anything.”