Reign shook his head. “We wouldn’t get far. The one with green hair has a power similar to Rowan’s. Add that to Akito’s air manipulation, and they’d be on us in seconds.”
“In that case…” Callum quickly surveyed the area. “Our only option is to hold them off while someone takes Ev and makes a run for it.”
“What? No.” I shook my head. “I’m not leaving anyone behind. If you stay, so do I.”
“And you call me stubborn,” Maddox softly said before kissing the edge of my brow. He looked at the others. “I agree with my lieutenant. Keeping Evan safe is our priority. One of you will take him. The rest of us will stay here and fight.”
My heart sank. “No.”
“It’s the only—”
“No! I don’t… I can’t leave you.” I glanced at the rest of my men, their faces blurring as tears swarmed. “I can’t leave any of you.”
“You haven’t a choice, love.” Briar caressed my jaw. “Protecting you is all that matters. I’ll stay behind with our captain. While I have many talents, running isn’t one of them.”
“You should take Ev,” Callum told Rowan. “Use the shadows to move through the trees.”
“Giving me orders, rabbit? When this night is over, I may boil you in a stew after all.” Rowan clutched his dagger and faced the area where Akito stood. “You and I are both needed here to help hold off these bastards.”
A pressure clamped down on my sternum.
Reign deflected another spell. “Decide quickly. We’re nearly out of time.”
Maddox took hold of my chin and brushed our lips together. “Stay safe, sweetheart. I won’t rest until I find my way back to you.”
“But—”
“You’re the fastest of us,” he told Lake. “Take Evan and run.”
“Wait!” I whimpered. “There has to be another way.”
“Go now!” Maddox raised his shield and looked toward Baden and the others just as a green light illuminated the forest. The spells were growing in frequency.
Lake picked me up and sprinted toward the nearest cluster of trees.
“We can’t leave them,” I exclaimed, feeling like my chest was breaking apart. “Please, Lake! Go back.”
He whined low in his throat but kept running. Something wet landed on my cheek. It was just as hard for him.
Over his shoulder, I saw the men we loved. They stood together, steeling themselves against the oncoming attack. Callum readied his sword, standing beside Maddox, while Rowan crouched with his blade. Briar stood against the tree and took a deep breath before his gaze found mine, a dagger clutched in his hand.
Flashes lit up the forest. Draven and Reign repelled the spells. Stryder clashed with Callum before summoning a fiery ball of energy. Maddox swung at him, forcing him to lose concentration.
The air then stirred, sparked, as though swarming with electrical currents.
Lake sprinted faster.
“Pup!” Rowan shouted, panic filling his voice.
A bright red light appeared behind us, chasing us through the trees. It then slammed into Lake’s back. He grunted under his breath and stumbled but quickly recovered his footing.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“I’m fine.” He cradled me more to his chest. “Keep your head down.”
Maybe the spell hadn’t fully hit him.
After a while, the noise of the fighting faded, leaving only the faint rustle of leaves and the light thud of his feet on the earth as we moved through the woods. The cool night air whipped at my tearstained cheeks. I didn’t know where we were headed. Lake just ran as fast and far as he could.
