My muscles tensed at the idea that the government wasn’t just imprisoning these magicals, but performing tests on them. Maybe even letting the demons get the first shot.
They’re in an alliance with the devils. It’s not off the table.
Slowly, I extended my hands. “I say we blast this door with everything we have. The moment we create an opening, stop. We’ll see what’s on the other side, and go from there.”
Everyone nodded their assent, and all except Francis, who prepared to fight, held out their hands.
Our magic flew from us. The door burned red-hot, soaking up the energy.
“More,” I grunted.
We pushed, and the metal warped and began to weep slightly.
After a full minute of pummeling the door, I realized that witch power wouldn’t be enough. It could make a dent, but nothing more, which made perfect sense.
Given enough time and energy, any imprisoned witch could blast themselves out. We needed something more destructive.
I closed my eyes and, midflow, switched to demon magic.
The inky tendrils replaced my bright fuchsia glow, gracefully swirling through my friends’ colorful magic. The second the demon magic hit the metal door, it shuddered.
“Hit harder, Odette!” Diana urged.
I did. The door groaned, and the metal shook, threatening to burst inward. Sweat dripped down my brow as I gave it another violent push.
And that was all it took. The door flew open, slamming against the metal siding.
I lowered my hands and expelled a breath, peering into the room. “I don’t see—”
The words died in my mouth as a growl tumbled out of the darkness.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE
The stench of urine and rotted meat slammed into me, making me gag, before I could take in the totality of the monster.
“Werewolf!” Diana pitched her magic forward.
Man in body, wolf in face and claws, the eight-foot-tall beast hurled itself against her purple shield, and let out a roar of fury as its fur caught fire.
Diana’s hand wrapped around my arm and yanked me backward. Everyone darted away, trying to put space between us and the monster as it recovered from the magic and prowled closer.
We stopped a good distance away, Diana and I in the front.
“Of freakingcoursewe would plan this rescue on the night of a full moon,” Diana muttered.
“Stay back. I’m going in.” Francis sidestepped around us, his muscles hard.
“Do you think a vampire is strong enough to take on a werewolf?” I whispered, truly not having any idea. I’d never seen a transformed werewolf before—and if I never saw one again, it would be too soon.
“We’re about to find out.” Diana glared at the werewolf, which towered over the vampire as they began to duke it out. “Francis said no magic, but if we get a shot—”
“Take it,” Andre finished.
From down the hall, a scream emanated, setting my nerves alight.
I twisted away from the werewolf, and my mouth fell open.
Eva had loosed her demon magic, and the black tendrils were wrapping around the neck of a manticore.
