Page 110 of Arcane Entanglement

Viggo smiled viciously at their screams.

The rest of the mages brought forth bolts of sickening shadows as they encircled them, Renwick hanging back with a contemptuous smirk.

Evander reached for his elemental powers, his heart thundering against his ribs. He’d never faced so many dark magic users at once.

The corruption wafting off them made his skin crawl.

Viggo’s back brushed against his as he spun to defend their rear.

“Together!” the Brute barked over his shoulder.

Evander dipped his head. “Be careful!”

Wind and fire rippled into life between them and the dark mages, keeping the worst of their attacks at bay.

Evander and Viggo pushed back as they had done in the church, their movements fluid and synchronised, as if they’d performed this deadly dance a hundred times before. What got past Viggo was deflected by Evander. What escaped Evander’s magic was physically punched aside by Viggo.

Evander’s heart sang as they fought side by side, the expression he occasionally glimpsed on Viggo’s face telling him the Brute found the way they matched one another on the battlefield as exhilarating as he did.

He felt like he could take on the whole world in that moment of mutual affinity.

A quick glance around revealed civilians still trapped in the station, their escape route blocked by the fierce battle taking place on the platform. Evander subdued his magic slightly, conscious he could bring the entire structure down on their heads if he went at full power.

A scream cut through the din of battle.

His head snapped around.

A young woman had been cornered by one of the dark mages. Shadows were creeping up her legs.

Evander moved without thinking, his wind and earth magic snatching her from danger and depositing her safely some distance away.

The momentary distraction cost him.

A bolt of corrupt energy slipped past his defences and penetrated his shoulder. Pain lanced through Evander, hot and sharp. He cried out, his flesh burning as black magic began seeping into his body like poison.

“Evander!” Viggo shouted.

The Brute cursed when he found his way obstructed by dark mages.

Evander’s vision blurred as the corruption bled into his veins and headed for his heart.

Chapter44

“Where’s the crystal vial,Ice Mage?!” Renwick barked. “I know you have it on you! Give it to me and I will spare these people!”

Sweat dripped down Evander’s face. He shook his head and sought the dark mage with his desperate gaze, only to freeze.

Renwick towered over a group of cowering passengers. A volley of dark magic bolts whined in the air close to the terrified men and women’s faces, ready to pierce their flesh and blind them.

Evander blinked and forced himself to focus. He couldn’t falter now. Not with so many lives at stake and Viggo fighting desperately to overcome their enemy and reach him. Blood pounded thickly in his veins as he gritted his teeth against the agonising pain threatening to rob him of his senses.

There was only one thing he could do to save himself and the innocent bystanders who’d found themselves in the midst of this battle.

I hope the building can withstand it!

Evander’s laboured breaths rattled in and out of his chest as he closed his eyes.

The first time he’d tried this during a private lesson at the Royal Institute, he’d almost destroyed a wing of the building.