“Dark witches,”I answer.“They can’t touch me while I’m human.”
This is what we were afraid of. We assumed Orson had witches under his control, but dark witches? That’s a new low, even for him.
Like all other species, there’s good and evil when it comes to witches. From what I’ve been told, witches who wander to the dark side lose their ability to use powers on other supernatural beings if they are in their most purest form. In our case—human.
The witches must do something, a spell or incantation, because the wolves closest to them suddenly stop, rolling onto the ground with an agonizing howl. Their attackers don’t seem to be affected though, and diving on top, I can only watch in horror as they lunge for their throats.
“No!” I scream to no one in particular. It’s too late though, a burst of blood spouting into the air as someone’s throat is torn out.
My hand flies up to cover my mouth in pure terror, heart racing and pounding painfully as more wolves drop to the ground dead.
I swing my head around violently, trying to figure out what is going on. The witches don’t appear to be as strong as Lydiana, only able to reach wolves within a certain distance to them. Probably because of all the supernatural essence in the area. But judging by the line of dead wolves along the ground, the boundary is clear.
Desperately, I seek out the guys again, panicking when I notice Cade is being dragged by two wolves toward the witches.
“Cade!” I yell, my feet moving again as I run across the field. I dodge wolves as they fly into my path, needing to reach him.
I’m not quick enough, every second playing in slow motion as he is pulled closer to certain death.
“Screw this,” I call to Mira, leaping off the ground as I shift.
Mira jumps over and around wolves, honing in on Cade. I reach him and the other wolves fast, yanking one by the throat and flinging it in the direction of the witches.
As soon as he’s out of the way, Cade is able to get the upper hand, killing the other wolf in one quick strike.
“Nyx!” Cade scolds. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Me?!” I shout back. “I just saved you.”
Our conversation is cut short as more wolves burst out of the woods, charging at us. Cade and I go flying backwards at the same time as they crash into us, a shriek coming from Mira from being caught by surprise.
One wolf. Two. Three. Four.
I start to lose count, flinging dead rogues and Seventh Circle members. Everyone else is doing the same but I realize with a sickening dread that their numbers aren’t getting any smaller.
More enemies keep breaking through the boundary, refilling their army count.
“Red, you need to get out of here,” Lex suddenly says through the mind link. “Run!”
“I’m not leaving you,” I reply, regretting the whimper that comes as someone bites my thigh.
Maverick’s heavy, panting voice comes through next. “They are after you. The hunters.”
“What are you talking about?” I manage to shoot back, launching head first into a wolf that’s got Beau in a bad position.
“The witches are talking between spells. More packs are coming. Orson promised you as a reward for their service.”
I halt, paws sliding along the field that’s wet with blood. “What?”
“Leave!” Maverick orders.
I can’t though. All around me people are dying. People I love, family I grew up with. One by one, they are going down, maybe even faster than the rate of Orson’s pack.
I won’t let them fight alone. I’d rather die than run and hide.
When I don’t reply, I hear the flurry of demands and curses from the guys. Ignoring them, I keep fighting.
Just one wolf at a time.
