The wing slid up to glide along her face, then vanished.
Kendall craned her head around, her bottom lip jutting out, reaching for the vanished wing.
“It’s okay, Kendall,” Risa soothed the baby. “He’ll come back.”
“Let’s get inside where it’s safer,” Axel said. “We’ve moved the women to the infirmary to take care of the injured.”
The two men positioned Risa between them as they walked. After shifting Kendall, she opened her magic and settled a hand on Linc’s right arm to heal the bullet wound.
“What happened with the rogues?” Linc asked. “Anyone hurt?”
“None of ours. The fuc—” Axel cut himself off, eyed Kendall and went on, “—cowards cut and run after we killed a few. But rogues attacked Baron’s tower too. That battle got ugly. He lost four men, and there’s a few more here Darcy and Carla are healing. But we can’t keep them in the infirmary since we also have unmated witches healing there—bloodlust. We’re putting them with Ram and Eli over in the student dorms.”
“Complicated,” Linc said.
“We also got calls from witches who were kidnapped and dumped.”
“Dumped?” Linc snarled as he opened the door to the infirmary. “They must have been alive if they called. Rogues don’t leave them alive.”
Risa carried Kendall inside.
“Exactly.” Axel followed them. “This whole night has been a setup to keep us busy. Darcy and Carla are running ragged, working to heal the injured, and assisting us while trying to track the pull on their magic to find the spawn. Which is getting worse every hour. And there’re rogue attacks in Glassbreakers keeping Phoenix and Key occupied.”
Linc made a frustrated noise. “So they can’t leave to come help here. Rogues are really organizing to support the spawn.”
Kendall shoved her tiny fist in her mouth, frowned and cried. Risa patted her back and said, “She’s hungry.”
“There’s a room in the back set up for her. Crib, supplies, whatever shit… Sorry.” Axel grimaced. “Go get her settled. You need to stay in here. If you get her situated, can you help the others?”
“Yes.” She could put Kendall in a carrier and work. Glancing at Linc, she said, “I really need to talk to you.”
Ram yanked open the door. “More trouble. Rogues set a mobile home park on fire. Residents trapped.”
Axel turned to Linc. “Let’s go, Dillinger.”
Linc rubbed her arm. “Stay inside here, Risa. We’ll talk when I get back.” He kissed her and raced out with Axel.
Risa watched from the doorway, amazed as his new wings sprang out on his back, and he lifted into the air. Magnificent and powerful.
A scream from the back jerked her around, and tucking Kendall against her, she ran to help.
* * *
Hours later, Linc circled the academy, ignoring his torn, bloodied hands. That would heal, but the memory of the screams, of the people he and Axel couldn’t get to, burned in his guts.
God he hated rogues and demons. But at least the earthquakes had stopped and—
Sparks shot up from the field. “What the hell?” Flying lower, he spotted Ram standing still, arms crossed, feet spread and shooting enough sparks to light up the city. What was he glaring at?
Linc’s stomach dropped when his gaze landed on Risa and Ginny, five feet away, glaring back at Ram. They were out in the open, damn it. And where was Kendall?
He and Axel banked around the field and landed. Axel’s feet barely hit the ground when he barreled straight to the group. “What now?”
Linc moved up behind Risa. “Do you know how dangerous this is?”
She turned, hot determination glinting in her eyes. “We’re trying to help Ram.”
“Not in the middle of a shitstorm.” Ram’s coldly angry voice cut through the night. “Archer could rise any moment, and you two trotted out here like you’re going to a garden party.” He glared down at his hands then back at them. “And I couldn’t stop you without burning you.”
“Which we’re trying to help you with,” Ginny pointed out. “You promised you’d try.”
Axel rubbed his forehead. “Try what?”
Risa jumped in. “Lightning rod set into a box that I seal up with my shield magic. Ram will hold the pole, draining his electrical energy into a sealed box, which will contain it so it doesn’t get into the ley lines.”
Linc stiffened. “It’s risky for you to use your shield magic.”
“It’s a small amount to do this. If you help me, it’ll be better. The bird can keep the souls quiet.”
“Axel,” Ginny to turned to face him. “It worked when you and Sutton drained Ram’s electricity. This is a more efficient way. Carla agrees.”
Axel closed his eyes, going quiet. Then he opened them. “So does Darcy. Are you sure you want to risk it, Risa?”
Linc held his breath. Part of him wanted to say no to protect her. But today she’d been magnificent in her power when she’d opened her third eye. He’d felt the magnitude of it whipping through him, and the bird had helped her keep control of it. What’s more, his wings had come out for her.
He and this witch had a bond, and he had to start trusting her to know her real limits. He projected the thought to her: Up to you, Risa. I’ll help you as long as you think you’re safe doing it.
Risa craned her head around, a smile lighting up her face and melting the utter exhaustion from his bones. “You mean that?”
Touching her face, just needing that contact, he answered, “Yes. One question though. Where’s Kendall?”
Her smile gentled to the one that was exclusively for her baby. “Asleep. Hilary was exhausted, so she’s sleeping in the room with her. I’ve checked them both, and I can hear Kendall if she wakes.”
Like the mental link we have?
Actually…” she reached into her pocket and pulled out a disc, “…a baby monitor.”
He laughed. After all the misery he’d seen at the trailer park, it felt good. Cleansing. “That works too.”
Risa’s gaze clung to his for one more second before she faced Axel. “I can do it.” Then she looked at Ram. “And I want to.”
Ram nodded. “Let’s do this fast.”
They all headed to the side of the field near the fence line, where a metal pole set into a box roughly the size of a small fireproof safe rested next to a deep hole. Linc eyed Risa.
“Wasn’t me.”
“It was us.” Ram had his chest pressed to Ginny’s back but didn’t touch her with his hands. “But we weren’t going to push Risa. That was our agreement.”
Ginny looked up at him. “You set a bed on fire tonight helping Darcy move an injured rogue. We don’t have time to wait.”
The reality of Ram’s situation hit Linc. If electricity built up enough, he’d combust into flames and die. He asked Risa, “What do we do?”
She went to the pole and crouched down.
Her magic surged over him, silky warm and tasting of cinnamon. Instinctively he crouched behind her, laying his palms on her shoulders.
He was mesmerized by the way she used her hands to weave intricate patterns, moving up and down, then back and forth fluidly. Every dip of her finger and rotation of her wrist had a purpose. It was like watching her play the piano—she captured her magic the same way she captured notes.
Gossamer threads shimmered around her fingers, growing bigger as she added to the shield. Curious, he glanced at the others. “Can you guys see that?”
“See what?” Axel asked.
“The translucent threads weaving together in the air.” He couldn’t stop staring even as the bird’s wings stretched wide. He realized the creature had gone back into his tattoo.
“No.”
Huh. So only he could see her magic? He wanted to ask her if she was showing him mentally, but stayed quiet and let her work.
Risa took a breath, gathered a wave of power and magically pushed. It was the only word he could think of to describe the
sensation. The shield shot forward and snapped around the box.
“Done.”
Her magic closed, and Linc caught her beneath her arms to help her rise, pulling her against him.
“I’ll bury it.” Axel set the pole in the hole, grabbed the shovel and started scooping.
Linc wrapped his hand around Risa’s throat to tilt her chin up, relieved to see her eyes were clear and blue, but her jaw was tense. “How do you feel?”
She opened her mouth, then closed it.
Alarm flared along his nerves. “What?” Not the soul screams, he could see her eyes were fine.
“That oily sensation.” She jerked back, whirling around, her gaze frantic. “He’s here. Oh God, Kendall!”
“Who?” But he knew, and whipped out his knife while hooking his free hand around Risa’s arm.
“Archer! He’s coming for Kendall.”
No time to dick around, and yet something kicked in his brain. Twice after they’d rescued Kendall, Risa had said she had something to tell him. “Why does he want Kendall so much?”
Risa stopped tugging and stilled. “Because she’s his daughter.”
What the fuck?
* * *
“You brought a demon baby here?” Axel roared at her, his voice throbbing with anger.
It took everything she had not to cringe. No matter what he did to her, she had to stay ready to shield. “She’s only a quarter demon. Three quarters human. Mortal.”
“Not witch?” Linc’s hand bit into her arm until the bone hurt. “Not your kid at all?”
The oily taste grew. She shook her head, straining to make them understand. “We have to get Kendall and run.”
“Keep her away from my mate. From all of us.” Axel turned and launched into a run toward the infirmary.
Desperate, she cried out, “Kendall’s just a baby!” Ripping her arm from Linc, she raced after the man. She had to get—
Fire lanced the sky, streaking down almost as fast as a bullet.
“Axel!” Ram bellowed, his knife out, sprinting. “Arrow headed for you!”
Risa tracked the fire-blazing arrow chasing Axel. No! Oh God. If it hit, he’d burn in hellfire. Shield. Do it.
The arrow’s too damned fast.
Wait, she already had a shield. Not big enough to cover Axel, but she had another idea. Stopping, she forced open her chakras. The ley lines tried to pull, but she fought it, using everything she had to concentrate on the shield she’d made for Ram’s lightning box. There. Magically grabbing it, she wrenched it free of the box and threw it, aiming for the arrow.
For a second, she couldn’t tell if the shield would hit the arrow in time. Axel leapt into the air to evade it.
The arrow chased him, and her shield chased the arrow.
Risa focused, pushing her shield harder, willing it to catch the damned arrow.
But the fire-laced shaft gained on Axel. Six feet away from him.
Five.
Four.
Her shield caught the arrow and snapped around it. Heat flashed over her body, pain lancing every cell as the demon magic fought her shield. She wove in more magic, grabbing every strand. Desperation clamped down on her shoulder and neck muscles. Her arms ached with the effort of holding it.
The flames sputtered and died.
“Another one!” Ram called out. “Fuck! Heading for Ginny. Run!”
Ancestors, help me. Give me the magic. Her power streamed up wildly, then raced down in an undisciplined torrent. She needed the bird, but the connection between them had shut down. A small part of her mind knew Linc had mentally shoved her away. But she didn’t dare let herself feel the rejection and loss right now. Keep going. Tugging every thread she could snag, she wove fast. Furious adrenaline burned in her veins.
The souls shifted, agitated without the bird there to calm them.
“Where is it?” She screamed the question, unable to look away from her shield.
“Twenty feet,” Ram shouted.
Linc blew past her, his wings flashing out. He grabbed Ginny, leaping into the air.
The arrow chased him. No! She wove faster.
The flaming shaft just missed as Linc banked and came toward Risa.
The hellfire arrow spun as if searching for its target. Then stopped, locking in, and shot forward.
Now! Risa flung the shield as Linc and Ginny flew past her.
Her shield caught the arrow.
The impact pitched Risa five feet back and dropped her to the ground. Rolling, she jumped up, weaving and pushing to fight the demon magic.
A vessel popped in her nose. Blood poured out. Her ears rang. Her legs gave, and she sank to her knees but kept her hands up.
“Help her!” Ginny cried.
Linc’s hand settled on her shoulder. The bird screeched into her head, gathering and feeding magic.
The hellfire spewing from the arrow spurted out.
A bellow of rage sounded as a shadow streaked across the sky. Leathery wings flapped as Archer appeared overhead, pulling another arrow from the quiver on his back, nocked it and fired. Flames lit the path.
Axel screamed into the air, evading the arrow as it chased him.
Risa worked feverishly, refusing to give up. Her thumb ring heated, and more magic joined hers, Darcy and Carla circling magic with her. Thank the Ancestors. Grabbing the boost of thick, powerful threads, she wove it as Axel danced and darted, the arrow twisting and turning to follow.
Another winged man shot into the fray.
“Sutton,” Linc muttered.
Risa threw the shield, catching the arrow. Archer readied to shoot another when both winged hunters attacked him.
She couldn’t see the battle as she fought the arrow with her magic, until the flames died. Nausea roiled, and her head pounded. She looked up.
The three of them tumbled and fought in the air, blood flying, weapons flashing. Then all three slammed to the ground.
Archer shot to his feet, grabbing another arrow and nocking it.
Only a dozen feet away, he aimed right at her.
She got her first full look at him. Archer’s face had thinned and stretched, his hair wild, his skin the color of yellow fire, leathery wings billowing out. “You’ll burn now, witch.”
She’d failed and—
Her thought cut off when Ram slammed into the spawn and stabbed his knife into the demon’s chest.
Time stopped as Ram’s hand sizzled, and the knife glowed white hot. Thin zaps of jagged lightning streaked all over Archer’s exposed skin.
Hope flared weakly in her head. Could Ram kill the spawn?
The demon thing roared, flung Ram away, shot straight up into the air and fitted another arrow. He shot it at Risa.
Empty, bleeding and so weary it hurt, her brain screamed, Linc! He’s right behind you. Shield him. Save him. She tried, but all she could get were limp threads.
Linc locked his arms around her waist and leapt skyward. The arrow passed beneath them.
They landed close to where Archer’s arrow stuck up out of the grass, unlit. It had never caught fire.
The earth trembled and suddenly sucked the arrow down and gone. Vanished.
Axel alighted next to her. Ram walked over with Ginny.
“Where’s Archer?” Linc snapped out the words from behind her.
Risa focused on the blood dripping on her shoes and the grass. Gushed really. Not good. Would she be able to throw another shield? Where was Archer?
Sutton touched down by them. “Gone. Flew off when his arrow didn’t light.”
“Ram’s jolt stunned him, shorted out his arrows,” Axel said.
“The hellfire comes from the Underworld.” Risa barely heard her own voice over the writhing screams building in her head. Everything moved in slow motion, receding back. For some reason, it seemed really important they know this, and she struggled to explain. “He was pulling it through the ley lines, and my shield smothered…” Words failed her as grayness swirled in her mind.
<
br /> “Risa. Look at me,” Linc demanded.
“She’s lost a hell of a lot of blood,” another voice said.
And then all the talking stopped. Only screams remained.
~ 22 ~
Risa clung to a tree branch and looked down at the souls snapping and snarling like rabid dogs, leaping up trying to grab her and drag her down.
She didn’t want to go. Clinging to that one branch jutting out over the souls, she dragged her legs up, huddling into a ball. Their hatred spewed with the power of a geyser, soaking her in their need to make her suffer as they had.
Among all the souls, she searched for one.
Nola. Risa hadn’t seen her since she’d bonded with Linc and her mind had shattered. She missed her so much. Nola was the only one who’d ever truly loved her. Wanted to be with her.
Did the baby hate her too?
All the souls leapt, springing up, crazed, bloody hands, rotting teeth…
A shadow soared over her, trilling a low melody that caused a hush. Falcon. His wings were spread against the bright blue sky, the baring of his colors showing his magnificence. Banking with the effortlessness that only birds exhibit, he glided down, his song spreading a mellow, warm blanket.
The souls settled back, sinking into the threads of Risa’s magic, as the bird sang them into the place between life and death, between wakefulness and sleep. The tranquil place.
The geyser of hatred petered out.
Falcon hovered between the souls and her, and sang, the rise and fall of his melody beseeching her to let go of the tree and trust him.
Part of her wanted to stay right there, clinging to the branch. But there was another child waiting for her. So she let go.
* * *
The brutal lights pierced her eyes, and Risa squeezed her lids shut. Her magic flowed, creating a warm tingle in her nose. That had to be healing magic. So she’d been injured? No, wait, the memory swam for a second, then burst up.
Her shield magic. There’d been so much power she couldn’t control it, and something had torn.
Archer. Oh God, the demon spawn had come for his daughter. “Kendall!” She jackknifed up, pain stabbing her head, the room spinning.
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