‘Okay, you’ve always flared up when I didn’t need it. I need you now. Please!’ she begged her magic.
Bringing up both hands, she simply let go. She didn’t need to see her enemy if she engulfed the entire area in flame.
“Inferno!”
She heard the exclamations of the men behind her and the screams of the enemies in front of her. She kept the flames a solid wall of fire in front of the portal. It was surprisingly easy to use this much of her magic. Much easier, in fact, than using smaller amounts.
“Zoe!”
She turned to see her mate standing behind her as she heard the sound of shattering glass. The portal collapsed, and the only evidence that it had been there was the scorched ground.
“Gage!” she flew to him, and he caught her up in his arms. “I thought we lost you!”
Her mate winced but held her tight. “You nearly did, but thanks to Meryn and her band of misfits, we were found in time.”
He pulled back and tilted her head back so he could look into her eyes. “Are you okay? That was a lot of fire.”
She nodded. “I didn’t scream, though.”
“Let me check her,” she heard Kendrick say before a large hand landed on her head. “I can’t believe it.”
“What?” she and Gage asked at the same time.
“I’ve never seen it looking better. It reminds me of a purring, contented kitten,” he scrubbed his hands over his face. “It’s like you were built to use larger amounts of magic.”
“Cool beans?” she asked, using one of Meryn’s phrases.
Kendrick scowled and walked over to where Aiden was getting reports.
Dav walked up, holding Yuki and Ame, and passed them to her and Gage. “Your boys are very special.”
With Ame tucked close on one side, Zoe grabbed Gage’s free hand and drug him over to Aiden. “Aiden! Yuki used snow so we could see the enemy. But it doesn’t have to be snow, it could be flour, paint, memory foam, anything that would show footfall.”
Aiden’s brows rose, and he smiled. “Good job, Yuki! We’ll make a warrior of you yet. You’re already showing the men up.”
“Hey!” playful protests echoed around them.
Gage leaned in. “Yuki was also able to pass some of his magic to Ame, which he used to help heal my burns.”
“Burns!” she looked at him aghast.
He squeezed her hand. “I’m fine now. Tender and a bit sore, but fine.”
As the afternoon wound down, Aiden gave orders for the old guard to continue patrols for the next twenty-four hours so that the units could recover.
When they reached the warrior villa, Aeson pulled both Gage and Priest into bear hugs, causing both men to protest as their abused bodies screamed at them.
Exhausted and hungry, the men sat down, and the Chi unit, along with Tierla, Yuki and Ame, brought the food out. Tierla and Aeson had been able to put up most of what the boys made.
When the men heard that the boys had made them dinner, Zoe thought it had become Longnight. Each bite was praised and treated like a present. Between her and Gage, the boys beamed.
Gage kissed the tops of each of their heads. “I am so proud of you two.”
Zoe sat back and closed her eyes. The past few days were catching up with her.
“Aeson, brother, I think I may need help,” she heard Gage say.
She felt herself being lifted and opened her eyes. Aeson was carrying her while Matthieu helped Gage and Leon led the boys up the stairs. “I can walk,” she protested weakly, then yawned.