Page 81 (1/2)

Sorcha was focused on the sorcerers, and she kept h snow on the other side of the hill, into the valley where the lagoon reflected backcloser to the lasso the sorcerers stillit stable It jolted and jerked between them, more live wire than lasso

Sorcha aiartner, who fended it off with a shot of his own But he lost hold of the lasso, which sizzled and disappeared into the air

"The containment field is down," Mallory called into the comm

The ian tra up the hill I pushed Mallory, obviously exhausted, behind me and bared my sword--and my teeth--at Sorcha

"I’ll thron ic," I said "And we’ll have a good old-fashioned free-for-all"

"You couldn’t just give aze narrowed at us, her hair spread and lifted in the air as she rallied for onewith nerves, I took a step toward her Anything to keep her gaze off Mallory "I’ my city over to self-centered sorceresses"

"I will show you self-centered," she said, and flicked a hand in the air

Such a fickle gesture to have so h the air I shielded Mallory froround onpain

Light bulleted past me, a shot of blue fire that sliced across her arm, propelled by Mallory Sorcha slapped a hand over the wound, screamed out with pain that seehtning split the sky in the sareen shade

"I am owed!" she screaain, her lips werein some silent chant She pulled a fat bundle of what looked like sage froan to sh the air in front her, lips stillaround us

"Magic inco!" I said into the comm over the static, my voice hoarse with pain, and hoped soic and the ht

Mallory screa her hands over her ears And the air around her began to glow, to buzz withfro out of her with the power of her filthy song

"Mallory!" I said, and puther body with mine, and covered her hands with mine in case it helped block the sound

Mallory cried out again

"I’m here!" I called out over the crackle of Sorcha’s power "And I’ll help you Just concentrate! Don’t let her use you!"

Mallory’s entire body was rigid, and she began to shake from the effort

I didn’t knohat else to do, how else to help her in the war she aging with herself, to block out thethe only tune I could think of

"I’m sorry!" I called out, and screaive you up! Never gonna let you down!"