Rising into a low crouch, Kylie took aim at the back of the casting nocturni’s head and let ’er rip.
She knew none of the spells the others had taught her had enough juice to stymie one of the Order’s most powerful magic users, but once again she found the code in the spells she did have to work with and tweaked. This time, she didn’t bother with finesse, just grabbed, twisted, and plunked in her own addition and then sent the energy winging through space.
The little ping of green light hit the robed figure on the back of his hooded head and then exploded like a firework. Unlike a firework, however, these trails of sparkling light expanded outward and fused together to form a bubble just the way Ella had described. Or almost the way Ella had described. The bubble that Kylie created enveloped both the nocturni and his portal to hell, and it didn’t take the emerging creatures long to recognize there was only one food source available inside the magical trap.
Kylie looked away when blood splattered the inside of the bubble like water on a windshield at the car wash.
She looked around and saw Fil headed her way at a jog. The blonde looked bruised and bloody but intact and Kylie had never been so happy to see anyone.
“Ella’s down, but okay,” Kylie said, the minute she thought Fil could hear. “I cut off the portal for the moment, but I don’t know how long my bubble will last, and I don’t know if I can close the portal myself. That is one spell I do not want to try tinkering with. If I take down my spell, do you think you can blast the portal closed?”
Fil nodded, already turning her attention to the problem at hand. “Yeah, I’m with you. That was some nice work, though, Koyote. Very innovative. On the count of three.”
They ran through the numbers aloud, and on three, Kylie reached out, grabbed her magic, and yanked, flinging it down into the earth. Sort of like pulling the tablecloth off a table and hoping the place settings stayed where they were. In the same instant, Fil threw a bolt of bright light at the portal. It hit with a shower of sparks, and then the whole thing collapsed in on itself like a dying star. Minus the black hole, which was kind of the point.
She flashed Kylie a cheeky grin. “Hey, Wynn was right. Practice makes perfect!”
“Duck!”
That was all Kylie had time to say before the two creatures released from the bubble came flying at them like ravening wolves on tasty-looking elk. Once again, Kylie went the old-fashioned route. She lifted another chair and swung for the fences, knocking the first creature into the second and sending them both skittering across the concrete floor. An instant later, a huge shadow passed over them and Spar dove on top of the monsters, grabbing them in his enormous talons and literally ripping them to shreds.
Kylie had to look away, but next to her, she heard Fil heave an exaggerated sigh.
“My hero,” the blonde teased, then yelped out a muffled laugh as her Guardian dragged her close for a brief fierce kiss before wading back into the fray.
“Oh, get a room,” Kylie mumbled.
“Oh, we will. Just remember you said that. After all, we’re staying with you.”
Kylie rolled her eyes and tugged her friend’s arm. “We need to either get Ella back on her feet, or find someplace safe to stash her. She’s over here.”
The pale brunette was already stirring when they reached her side, and Kylie heaved a sigh of relief. Maybe the tide was finally turning in their favor.
“Don’t sit up!” Fil warned as Ella began to stir. “You’re lying under a chair, and the last thing you need is to give yourself a concussion.”
“I think I already have one.” Ella groaned, lifting a hand to her head and wincing. “Concrete is really hard.”
“We’ve still got stuff to do, Ellabella. How are you doing? Can you stand?”
“Give me a hand and let’s see.”
They each gave her one, first sliding the chairs that had concealed her out of the way to make room. Then they grasped the woman from either side and swung her to her feet. Ella swayed for a moment, then smiled wanly and gave them a thumbs-up. “All systems are go. Go slowly, but go.”
“Good,” Kylie said grimly, “because Fil was right. We do still have a lot to do.”
She nodded toward the front of the room where the two Guardians and the Demon on stage had been joined by a slightly battered and wholly defiant witch. A witch who currently knelt at the Hierophant/Demon’s feet with a pissed-off expression on her face and a short, sharp knife to her throat.
Chapter Nineteen
A finstere cholem auf dein kopf und auf dein hent und fiss.
A dark dream on your head, hands, and feet.