They tumbled to the ground, and his companion wolves were by his side a moment later.One of them buried their teeth in Izibine's throat, and Ezra looked away.He couldn't shield himself from the gurgling sound though.
Pushing up on his feet, he hurried over to the man.The curse was receding, and the man looked into Ezra's eyes with disbelief and fear."Thank you."
Ezra shook his head.He didn't know how to reply.
His wolves, he wished he could tell who they were, brushed against his sides, standing closer now than they had when they'd been running toward the fight.Shields.He wanted to hug them, but this wasn't the time.
Light shined and half a second later, the wolf to his right pushed him.Hard.He would've fallen if it hadn't been for the wolf to his left, but before he could voice his thanks, the ground where he'd been standing exploded.
Ezra blew out a shaky breath.Fuck.
* * * *
Rourke saw Ezra on the other side of the battlefield.Geri and Farkas were by his side.He wanted to rejoice in Farkas taking out the bitch who turned people into trees.He'd wanted her dead for a long time, but there was no time to stand around and gloat.
Lightning bolts and fiery balls flew through the air, and he tackled Tala out of the way from one.
"Thanks, boss."She was out of breath, having taken down one of the witches he couldn't remember ever seeing before.He most likely had, but it was no one who'd made an impression.
"Did you see Ezra walk through the shield?"She was still panting, scanning the surroundings instead of looking at him.
"Yes."He'd taken a couple of steps in his direction despite knowing there was no way he could reach him in time, but Ezra had walked right through it.
"So it only works on us."
He nodded."If they're all the same."
"Right."She dove out of the way, and a ball of blue flames landed near where she'd been standing and melted into the ground.
A pained shriek rose to the stars.Rourke made his way toward it, Tala by his side, and Due neared fast from the opposite direction.
Theron was on the ground, growling and whining, teeth snapping and claws striking at something invisible.Another shriek left his throat as his skin split open.Like Jiprix.For a moment, Rourke couldn't breathe, then he let out a snarl loud enough to shake the sky.As the scent of blood filled his nostrils, he whirled around and tried to locate Shixyll.
He would fucking kill her.
"Ezra!"Ulric's call had Rourke turning toward him.He followed his gaze and found Ezra running in front of several witches.His heart stopped.One fireball, one lightning bolt, and Ezra would be no more.Hewould be no more.He couldn't live without his mate.
"Kill him!"Shixyll's voice rose over the chaos, and Rourke watched in horror as she let go of her hold on Theron and flung her powers in Ezra's direction.
Geri threw himself in front of Ezra and took the curse.His snarl of pain raised the hairs on Rourke's arms, but Shixyll let go of the connection and tried to hit Ezra anew.
Rourke ran.His legs were eating up the distance in a way they never had before.He had to get to Ezra, had to save Ezra.
Geri remained on the ground, but Farkas reached through a shield and ripped out the larynx of the witch closest to them.The fur on his front leg caught fire, but he threw himself on the ground to suffocate the flames.
Ezra stopped to help him, and Rourke roared.He couldn't stop.Unmoving targets were easy targets.
Farkas pushed him aside and flew to his paws, placing himself in front of Ezra despite his smoldering leg.Rourke could've cried from gratitude.
Shixyll threw another curse, and the purple lightning struck again, but Farkas dodged both.Ezra patted his leg, unaware of the danger he was in.
Despite running as fast as he could, Rourke wasn't moving fast enough.He had to get there.
"Kill Ezra!"Shixyll's call was loud enough for everyone to hear."If you kill Ezra, Flint will fall!Ezra is the key!Kill him!"
A few witches were looking at each other in confusion.Ezra's head whipped around and his gaze landed on Rourke.Horror was written all over his face.Rourke didn't know why, but the next second Ezra was moving again.
Farkas was by his side, and Geri struggled to get to his feet.
