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“I can do it,” I tell him, opening my eyes. “I’m not so sure I can maintain it, though. Especially if I’m asleep.”

“We’ll take turns keeping watch, just to be safe. The shield will be a nice addition.”

I nod, closing my eyes again, remembering my teachings. It isn’t difficult since I studied and worked harder than most in my coven. Not that it helped me much. Perhaps all those long hours will come in handy now. I’d like to think so.

I murmur the incantation under my breath, weaving the spell with intricate gestures. The air around us shimmers briefly and then settles, the shield now in place.

“It’s done,” I say softly, opening my eyes to meet Alaric’s gaze. He’s watching me with an expression of mixed admiration and curiosity.

“I’ll take first watch. You get some rest,” he tells me.

“I don’t mind taking the first—” I start to say.

“Please…you go ahead. I’m not very tired yet. I’m happy to take the first shift.”

His eyes are bloodshot, and there are dark smudges beneath them. I saw him yawn just moments ago, but I don’t argue. If he insists on taking the first watch, then I’m okay with that.

I get under the covers, pulling them to my eyes. I must be tired because I fall asleep soon after.

I’m not sure how long I sleep, only that I awaken to the sound of low growling.

It’s deep and terrifying, sending ice straight into my veins.

I turn and sit upright as soon as I see it. It’s a hywolf, which is a mixture between a wolf and a hyena, only much larger and much more deadly. It’s only about ten or twelve feet from us. I can see the yellow of its eyes and how sharp its teeth are.

I shriek, and the shield falls. The beast, sensing an opportunity at warm flesh, leaps at us, teeth bared.

I quickly pull the shield back up. I do it almost without thinking. The hywolf slams into the magical barrier. It hits hard, yelping as it falls back.

The creature snarls, circling around the shield, hackles raised, its eyes fixed on us with a hungry gleam.

A second and then a third hywolf join the first, saliva dripping from their great maws. There is a howl in the distance. One of the beasts lifts his head and howls a return call.

I look over at Alaric; he has a sword in one hand and a knife in the other. He is the picture of calm, which is at odds with how I am feeling…namely panicked. There are more of those things out there, and they’re coming for us.

My eyes are wide, and my heart is racing. The horses are restless, too, pulling at their tethers. I can see the fear in their eyes as they whinny and stomp their hooves. The shield is designed to keep the outside world out, but the horses will be able to cross easily.

I’m worried that if they spook too badly, one or both might escape, and that would be the end of them.

My power feels strong, even though I am holding the shield. I wave my hands and mutter a word or two, my gaze on our horses. They instantly calm.

My spell seems to have the opposite effect on the hywolves. More appear from between the dead trees, and more still, until we are surrounded by them.

My heart thumps like mad beneath my ribs.

The first wolf lunges again, this time with more force, slamming into the shield as it growls in frustration. The others try, too, snarling and growling as they fall back time and time again.

The barrier holds strong, shimmering with a faint light as it repels their attacks.

Finally, with a snort of disgust, the biggest of the hywolves turns his yellow eyes on me; it’s probably my imagination, but they seem to narrow, and then he turns and pads away. The others follow suit, one after the other.

When they are all gone, I let out a huge breath, clutching my chest. My mouth feels dry.

“Impressive, McColl.” Alaric gives me a half smile that ignites something in me. Something I quell instantly.

I huff out a breath. “Why didn’t you wake me when he first arrived?”

“The shield was still in place. I hoped the beast would leave.” He sheaths his sword. “I know that fear can interfere with a magic spell. Hy-wolves are attracted to sound, movement, and the scent of panic.”