Page 86 of The Bookseller and the Alpha (Witch Twins #1)

Calypso

There was an ear-splitting boom. The sense of dread was almost suffocating me. My vision cleared, my brain processing the image. A rocket launcher. The fucker had launched a rocket at my mate. At almost point-blank range.

No. I wouldn’t let it happen. Even he couldn’t survive that impact.

Pulling on my magic felt like scraping a blade along my own soul.

I’d drained my reservoir. I shouldn’t be able to summon any more power.

But I wasn’t going to let my mate die. And so much about the practice of magic was about the will.

The intent. I had intent in spades. Feeling like I was pulling out my own fingernails, I thrust my arm forward, shouting the spell word.

My shield was sloppy, the edges ragged. But it was big, so I didn’t give a fuck about its neatness.

Even though it was wobbly as hell, it covered Luc’s body.

The rocket hit the shield. The force knocked Luc back a few steps.

The explosion splashed against my shield.

It held. I couldn’t see past the flames.

The world greyed at the edges as I threw more power into it.

I couldn’t let go yet. Not while the flames still burned.

My teeth ached. Needles stabbed into my bones.

My heart was slowing. My body was shutting down.

Just a little longer.

The flames went out.

And so did I.