Page 27 of The Alpha's Bullied Rejected Mate

As they came closer to the cabin, a chilling screech tore through the air again.

The second demon appeared suddenly behind them with claws raised and eyes blazing with fury.

Marcus turned. He motioned for Aza to get behind him and drew out his blade again.

But Aza was already stepping forward.

“Get behind me,” she ordered sharply, her eyes glowing now with pure, unfiltered energy.

Marcus stared in confusion, “What are you—”

She didn’t wait for him to finish.

She clenched her palms together fiercely, chanting under her breath in a language he didn’t recognize. She closed her eyes as she slammed her palm to the ground.

The magic pulsed out from her fingers in a ripple of sky blue light and spiraled into the ground, climbing up into the air.

With a crackle like fire meeting ice, a wall-like barrier surged into existence in front of them.

The moment it sealed, both demons crashed into it and bounced back with a screech, their clawed limbs screeching across the dirt.

Aza’s body slumped, kneeling her to the ground. Riley whimpered in his sleep and pressed deeper into her arms.

Marcus stared at the barrier, breathless, then at Aza.

Her magic shimmered between them, humming low and steady.

How did she do that?

She was even more powerful than he thought.

She didn’t look at him. Her eyes were fixed on the demons as they recovered, testing the edges of her magic.

He swallowed hard, his chest still heaving.

He stepped back, sheathing his blade slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. Her hands were still trembling from the spell.

He narrowed his eyes at her discomfort.

Behind them, the demons shrieked again, raking their claws relentlessly at the shield, and Marcus realized they were attempting to erode the barrier’s strength.

They couldn’t hold it forever.

“We need to move back to safety,” he said to her hurriedly.

He grabbed Riley from her arms immediately so that she could move faster. The boy was still asleep. Thankfully, the magic hadn’t worn off yet.

This time, she didn’t argue as they ran back to their shelter.

Marcus shut the entrance, sealed the ward behind him, and finally let out a slow breath, staring at the woman who had just upended every calculation he had made.