Chapter 81
Calypso
There was an ear-splitting boom. The sense of dread was almost suffocating me. My vision cleared, my brain processing the image. A rocket launcher. The fucker had launched a rocket at my mate. At almost point-blank range.
No. I wouldn’t let it happen. Even he couldn’t survive that impact.
Pulling on my magic felt like scraping a blade along my own soul.
I’d drained my reservoir. I shouldn’t be able to summon any more power.
But I wasn’t going to let my mate die. And so much about the practice of magic was about the will.
The intent. I had intent in spades. Feeling like I was pulling out my own fingernails, I thrust my arm forward, shouting the spell word.
My shield was sloppy, the edges ragged. But it was big, so I didn’t give a fuck about its neatness.
Even though it was wobbly as hell, it covered Luc’s body.
The rocket hit the shield. The force knocked Luc back a few steps.
The explosion splashed against my shield.
It held. I couldn’t see past the flames.
The world greyed at the edges as I threw more power into it.
I couldn’t let go yet. Not while the flames still burned.
My teeth ached. Needles stabbed into my bones.
My heart was slowing. My body was shutting down.
Just a little longer.
The flames went out.
And so did I.