46
Savannah
Once the decision was made, we flew into motion. Aunt Laurel gathered her strongest sorcerers, Casey organized a team of bodyguards, and Jaxson spoke with the pack members manning the barrier, explaining what we were planning to do. I knew it had to be one of the hardest conversations of his life. At least they would be safe from the binding spell behind the wall of shimmering light.
What about me? Wolfie asked. I mean, I’ll take one for the team, but…
You’ll be fine. I’m casting the spell outward, not inward this time. And just like Casey doesn’t usually fireball himself, you’ll be okay.
I gotta say, that’s a relief, my wolf replied.
Ten minutes later, Casey pounded on the side of his RAV4. “Okay, people, suicide mission time, let’s rally. Savy’s got the plan, so listen up!”
Heart pounding, I faced the gathered crowd. My mouth went dry, and my throat was tight, but I forced out the words. “We’re about to attempt something very dangerous. If there was any other way, we’d take it. But to save werewolves on the other side of the wall from the Dark God’s power, we’ll need to bind their wolves.”
Murmurs flowed through the crowd, though most knew what to expect by then—the rumors had gotten around quickly.
I pointed to the vehicles parked by the barricade. “We’re going through the wall, and as soon as we’re out there, they’ll be on us. Be prepared. Circle up the vehicles and make a wall, and expect heavy resistance.” I looked from one person to the next, seeing hard and grim faces. “Let’s go take back our city.”
Casey beat on his car door again. “You heard her! Everybody load up. Glorious deaths for the sorcerers, while the wolves get to watch us die. Win-win!”
Half-stifled smiles erupted around the circle as werewolves and sorcerers sheepishly met eyes. We all knew that at this moment, all we had was each other.
My cousin had a knack for saying the wrong thing, but in just the right way. Also, for saying the wrong thing in the wrong way, but right now, he was winning them over with bravado.
I felt a flicker of pride.
As sorcerers began to load into the vehicles, Casey waved his arm. “Remember, wolfsbane and non-lethal spells only! No blasting anyone with magic. They may look like monsters, but these are our friends. They’re just having a…ruff day.”
He winked at me and whispered, “Get it? Ruff day?”
I glared at him and shook my head. “Jokes like that are going to get you killed.”
He shrugged. “Yeah, probably, but boy, have I lived.”
I felt that puns like those were more like inner death.
Jaxson stalked over, his body rock hard with tension and his expression as dark as I’d seen it. “I should go with you. I can resist the spell.”
I shook my head. “If we’re going to go back into the Dark God's realm, you’ll need your wolf. We can’t risk it getting bound, and we won’t have time to make a circle of protection.” Seeing his face fall, I took his hand and entwined my fingers with his. “But I expect you to be there at my side the second after it goes off.”
He placed his head against mine. “I will be.”
Heart pounding, I wanted to hold on forever, but I knew it was time to face my fate.
I loaded up in Casey’s SUV. “Let’s do this.”
Grinning, my cousin blared the horn.
A sorceress waved her hands, and the shipping container that was serving as a makeshift roadblock levitated. Casey hit the gas, and his RAV4 roared through the shining wall of light, followed by a convoy of three more vehicles.
I shut my eyes against the light, but I still saw stars when I opened them again on the other side.
We skidded to a halt a hundred feet beyond the barrier. The other vehicles pulled up alongside to make a makeshift wall—not that it would slow the wolves much. One of Casey’s old girlfriends bailed out of the rear of the vehicle behind us and unleashed a massive gust of wind. The sparkling mists billowed back, away from our vehicles. That was our cue.
We all jumped out into a magic windstorm. As soon as our feet hit the ground, the crazy-eyed hybrids charged, jaws wide and claws out.
Riot guns echoed beside us as our bodyguards fired wolfsbane cannisters into the converging pack.
I blocked out the cries of pain as I ran to Laurel’s side, where the other sorcerers and sorceresses had gathered. There were eight of us in all—most beaten, bloody, and exhausted.
A crash of metal and glass thundered behind us, followed by howls of agony, but I didn’t look back. I had to trust that Casey’s people could hold the line.
Laurel extended her hands. “Everyone, link up, with Savy in the middle. We don’t have a circle to work with, so we’ll have to be her circle. Give her your strength and power. Help her control and shape the spell.”
They joined hands around me. I looked at their hard and fearful faces. Some I knew, some were neighbors, and some I’d never met before, but we were all risking our lives here together.
My stomach knotted with thankfulness and remorse, fear and hope.