I had to close it. Now.
In my vision, it was me jumping with Luciana that had stopped everything. Sacrificing myself would work. But as I stood there, gazing into hell…
I didn’t want to die. Not now. Not yet.
I had to try to close it with magic first. If I couldn’t, then I’d jump before Dastien or anyone else had to die.
I raised my hands in the air, mimicking Luciana. “Close.” I focused on the pit and pushed all the magic I had at it.
It stayed open.
Dastien’s whimper of pain hit me as another demon got its claws in him. I didn’t need to see him to know what was going on. The bond was wide open.
But if I coul
d see, then I could draw power, too.
I pulled from our bond, taking as much power as I could get. “Close!” I drew the word out, screaming until my voice broke. My skin tingled from the magic.
I pulled again—more this time. From the pack. I felt all the ties that held us together, and yanked on their magic as I screamed the word.
It still wasn’t enough.
Shit. A tear rolled down my check. I stepped to the edge, and took a breath.
Looking down, I nearly threw up. I couldn’t believe I was doing this. I felt empty. Broken. I didn’t want to die, but the lava demon was almost to the top and I wasn’t sure any of us would be able to stop that one if it got free.
Three other wolves howled. I glanced around the room one last time. Claudia’s shirt was torn, her hair coming free from her braid. Lucas was beside her fighting as Claudia moved her hands in a spell.
Raphael stood with Chris, fighting to keep their own between two minor demons and a major one across the room.
Meredith and Donovan were guarding the door—stopping any demons from escaping.
Cosette and Van were fighting their way to Dastien, but most of the last demons were swarming them.
Dastien was surrounded by five demons. A little rat sized one was on his bloody back, biting into his neck. The fey couldn’t get there in time.
I didn’t have a choice.
This was it.
I’m sorry. I tried. But I have to stop this. I love you. Please be strong for me.
His rage and denial beat against me, but I closed my eyes and took a breath.
I had to be strong. I could do this.
Just before I jumped, a furry head butted against my legs, knocking me away from the pit.
Donovan was next to me, and I gripped his fur. “I have to jump. It’s the only way.”
Before I could take the last step forward, his command rolled over me.
The power of the Seven slammed into me, and only my grip on Donovan’s fur kept me from falling into the pit.
Within a second, I was pulling power from him. From every wolf alive.
Through him, I could feel the Cazadores approaching. They were too late to fight, but they’d be here to help clean up.