Page 120 of Elora and the Crow

She laughed, the soft sound a bit hysterical in the quiet air. “We’re walking toward what will probably be horrible, painful deaths, and we’re talking about Gertrude Jekyll.”

Ronin grinned at her. “Take it from me, tiny tree witch. Death is a lot less scary when you don’t let it consume your every thought.”

“Easy to say for the guy who apparently can’t die,” Cece said.

“Harsh but fair,” Ronin said. “Hey, do you like Celine Dion?”

“Some of her songs are okay,” Cece said.

Ronin stared at her. “Some? How many have you listened to?”

“I don’t know,” Cece said. “There’s thatTitanicsong… it’s not bad.”

“Oh my God,” Ronin said. “Why do I feel like I alone am responsible for educating today’s youth on the awesomeness that is Celine Dion?”

Before Cece could reply, a shriek of rage echoed in the trees. She froze, her hand tightening compulsively on Ronin’s as her magic hummed to life in her veins.

Ronin gave her a grim look. “There’s still time for you to walk away.”

“I’m not walking away,” Cece said.

“Then let’s go help our friends.”

* * *

The air turnedhot and thick, and Jonah watched in amazement as it shimmered above Elora’s outstretched hands before a fireball nearly two feet in width materialized.

Elora murmured a few words, and the fireball flew across the clearing directly at Malencia. Three more fireballs followed in rapid succession, but a laughing Malencia deflected all four with a flick of her hand.

The fireballs bounced wildly before landing in the soft snow and extinguishing.

“You’ll have to do better than that, fire witch,” Malencia spat before a beam of yellow light shot from her hands.

It hit Elora square in the chest, and Jonah’s heart nearly stopped when Elora was thrown backwards. She slammed into a tree and fell to the ground. Shouting her name, Jonah ran through the deep snow toward her. Elora sat up, her eyes widening.

“Jonah, down!”

He dropped to his knees, but golden light washed over him anyway, lifting him into the air and smashing him into the same tree as Elora. He landed with a hard thud that rattled his spine.

He rolled to his feet despite the weakness that had immediately seeped into him as Elora jumped to her feet.

“Jonah!”

“I’m okay,” he rasped, even though he felt like Malencia had reached down his throat and stirred his goddamn insides.

“The protection spell is weakened,” Elora said. “Don’t let her hit you again.”

“Right,” he said as Malencia, a smug grin on her face, drifted closer.

“Her magic is stronger, isn’t it?” Jonah said.

“Yes, but so is mine.” Elora raised her hands and spoke a few words as Malencia sent another beam of light toward them. The barrier spell Elora cast stopped the light, sending it careening off at a crazy angle. A tree to their right exploded, and Jonah winced.

“Can you break her protection spell?” Jonah asked. “If you can, I might be able to get close enough to kill her.”

“I’m trying,” Elora said, “but it’s strong and… oh shit.”

“What the fuck is that?” Jonah said as he watched the six figures shamble out of the woods behind Malencia.

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