Marcellus and Percival follow, leaving the two of us behind.
“You’ve done too much.”
“No, I’m fine. I just need a minute.”
“What you need is— ” He freezes. “Marcellus found something.”
I envy their speed. Cristobal turns to me expectantly. “Ready?”
“Yes.” He turns, giving me his back. He crouches down, and I climb onto his back. It’s far better than being carried bridal style. He takes off like a rocket. I tighten my hold around his waist and neck. The landscape is a blur of green. I can smell the damp soil, autumn leaves, and fresh air. The forest welcomes me home as I reconnect with the trees, the land, and the air. Out here, there’s no buzz from the city. I take a few moments to refuel, accepting the energy nature is offering.
Suddenly, a massive weight slams onto my back. I cry out when I’m jerked away from Cristobal. I slam into a tree, my back scraping against the rough bark. My body protests. I can’t make a sound with the wind knocked out of me. Pushing to my knees, I find myself alone in a circle of trees. My eyes dart back and forth. I feel the rush of wind a split second before I’m tossed onto my back. Instinct kicks in. I blast the invisible force with power. A hiss follows. I train my gaze on the place where the baby vamp landed. Where is everyone?
Power slams into the barrier a moment after I finish casting a shield. On my back, I chant the secret reveal spell. My mouth slams shut. Her power is great, and she has the advantage of being able to see me. I could join her in the ranks of invisible, but it would drain what was left of my power, and I need that. I free myself from the silence and call out mentally for Cristobal.
She has a barrier up. None of us can cross it. He says.
Can I hold them off, and dismantle the spell before they both rip me to pieces? The rush of wind comes, and I throw soil, outlining the shape. I throw a blast, willing it to hit the witch. Her grunt of surprise tells me I hit my target. I freeze the baby vamp in its place and work feverishly to untangle the web of wards placed around the area. My body is shaking, and I’m straining to use every ounce of power that remains inside of me. My well is on E. I’ve performed a number of complex spells back to back, and unlike my opponent, I don’t have the aid of another power source.
I keep a small shield up as the first ward gives. Sweat dots my brow. My shield takes a hit. It wavers but holds. My grip on the vampire slips slightly. My chest aches. I’m dangerously close to draining my magical core. The wall sealing Cristobal out of my mind is bulldozed. My muscles clench. I shake as I’m flooded with new energy.
My senses sharpen. I can smell the vampire and the magic flowing from the witch. I don’t stop to think about what Cristobal unleashed, I act. With a wave of my hand, I down the next three wards, and set the vampire on fire. Horrid screams fill the air. The smell of burning flesh fills my nostrils. The cloaking spell fails, and I see the wretched, feral creature rolling on the ground, fighting the green-tinged flame.
No matter how hard the vampire struggles, he won’t find relief. His flesh blackens and flakes. The young don’t dissolve into dust.
The others flood the space.
“The witch escaped,” Marcellus says.
“Search for her,” Cristobal commands as he comes to my side.
“Are you okay?”
“I don’t know what I am.”
The vamp goes silent. The bones crackle as they’re eaten.
The three return empty-handed.
“She’s gone,” Luz says angrily.
“Probably teleported. If she bargained with her soul, it’d be for an immense amount of power.”
The adrenaline wears off, and I lean into Cristobal.
“What’s wrong?”
“Too much back to back.” I give a weak smile. “I think I may have worn myself out a little.” My lids grow heavy.
He scoops me up into his arms. “I know it’s bad when you let me do this.”
“Maybe I’m feeling amorous,” I murmur, fighting the exhaustion threatening to take me under.
He brushes his lips over mine. I allow myself a moment to bask in his strength. I feel completely protected now in his arms with the others flanking us.
We watch as the burned shell of the vampire collapses into itself and turns to dust blowing away in the wind.
“She’s angry now. She’ll be out for blood,” I say tiredly.