Atlas shifts into his stone form, large concrete wings expanding and his body doubling in size. Holy spellcasters. He is smoking hot in this form. I shake my head, trying to focus while he leans his massive shoulder against the forcefield, standing right beside me, the other gargoyles pushing from the other side. I press my hands against the shield while Madam does the same, and the energy created between us is electric.
My hands tingle and vibrate as the two of us combine energy. The shield between us doesn’t even wobble.
“Stay focused,” she says. “Eyes on me.”
I nod, listening to her steady voice. With everything in me, I send all my magic to the surface to meet her hands.
“Close in around us, everyone,” Madam says. “As close as possible.”
The surge of magic grows between us as the group of supernaturals moves in, creating a small space where our combined abilities can expand.
“Damn,” I whisper.
“What is it?” Atlas asks. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. It’s just a lot. I’ve never felt this much magic at one time. Between my advanced abilities and Madam’s, we might blow the house off the foundation.”
“I’m right here beside you.”
I’ve never in my life believed I needed anyone, not for my magic and certainly not for happiness. People have only ever been instruments of pain in my life. But Atlas is here because he cares. He fucking cares. All those beings are outside because they wanted to help a stranger. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe I do need others in my life.
“Yes,” Madam says. “Feel it?”
The shield between us trembles and I focus even harder as Atlas digs in his heels and pushes against it with all his strength.
“It’s moving, right?” he asks.
“Yes, it’s moving.” I lock eyes with Madam, and my skin lights up, illuminating my tattoos and my eyes to the point where I actually feel them burn with light.
Madam’s eyes shimmer and her aura blooms around her into an impressive cloud, drawing everyone into it.
“Holy Hades,” I hear Drax say. “Can you guys feel this?”
“Sure can,” Mac says. “Is this what magic feels like?”
“Only this magic,” Cassius says. “This is wild.”
“It’s making me horny.” Roman sounds confused.
“Everything makes you horny,” Cassius retorts. “Focus.”
“Oh, I’m focused,” Roman says. “It feels like, I don’t know, the best thing ever.”
“Does it feel good to you?” Atlas asks me.
“Not good, really. Overwhelming. It’s a lot.”
“Lean on me, babe.”
The endearment chips away another piece of my icy exterior. If I make it out of this in one piece, I’m gonna have to figure out how to show this incredible man how grateful I am. I don’t wantto think of what could’ve happened if he hadn’t come looking for me.
The magic flowing through my veins heats up dramatically, my tattoos so bright they’re almost blinding. My chest is tight as I blow out a breath, receiving everything I can from Madam. The magic feels like an infinite loop, flowing easily between me and the witch.
The first clue that it’s working is a loud crack, then the wobble of the shield. We’re doing it. We’ve almost got it.
I focus on Madam’s eyes, and then it happens. The shield breaks, but it sends all of us flying into the air, the shield falling around us like invisible glass, specks of it glistening in the moonlight as it rains down.
Atlas and I land across the room, slamming into the dining room wall, and when I sit up, I see the group of supernaturals scattered across the yard. Madam herself is at the bottom of the porch steps, rubbing her forehead.
