Page 111 of Wolf Touched

He glanced at the bullet and scoffed. “That was damn close.”

“Those who can control the wind help Skylar take the others down!” Priestess Caroline shouted.

Five coven members with us eased around the tree that protected them and made the wind gust against the trees, knocking over a few between the quaking ground and my power. They were able to aim for a specific tree and take it down.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Octavia, Dru, and Fane were five trees over to the right, with Cat-Keith darting through the brush and disappearing again. Dru and Fane ran across, spreading out to hide behind two othertrees. Lucy stayed right on Fane’s heels, the fur on the nape of her neck rising.

I didn’t need a fated-mate connection to know how she felt. I was experiencing the same damn thing.

The three humans got settled and began firing.

“Tree!” a woman shouted, and some of the gunfire stopped as something came crashing down.

“Now that some of the gunfights are stopping, I’m telling my pack members to move,” Keagan rasped. “Otherwise, Olwyn will have time to bring reinforcements.”

Raffe nodded then linked with the five of us,We’re moving. Be careful and stay close to the trees. If you come across one of the Circle members, kill them. Don’t try to take a captive or let them manipulate you into thinking they’re innocent. They are our enemy, and they’ll kill us if we don’t kill them.His eyes locked with mine, making it clear that those words were mainly meant for me.Even if we once considered them friends. And make sure Dave doesn’t get near Skylar—we don’t need him going blood crazy and dying.

My stomach roiled. I hadn’t considered those possibilities, but he was right. My blood could affect even the vampires on our side, and we had no clue who was working against us. For all I knew, Hecate, Zella, and anyone else could be here.

EvenSlade.

The damn traitor. Still, his betrayal cut deep.

Understood,Adam replied as he and the others in our pack surged forward, leaving Raffe and me behind.

Keagan’s group followed their lead. With my good side, I grabbed Keagan’s hand, tugging him back into place even though the pain wasn’t that much better since the backmuscles were connected. Keagan’s head jerked back, and his forehead lined with worry.

“The vampires. They shouldn’t get near me.” I gestured to my neck, where the blood still soaked my shirt. “They won’t be able to stop biting me even though it’ll kill them.”

“That’s what Olwyn said and why we didn’t bring vampires on the attack. They know to stay clear of you.” Keagan’s lips pressed together. “But thanks for the warning.” He took off.

Skylar, do you understand what I said to the others? We can’t let our sympathies get the best of us. They’re okay with attacking humans.Raffe edged forward, blocking me from moving around him easily.

Yes.I opened up my connection to him so he could feel my sincerity, including my concern. My body had started to feel heavy, but I wasn’t sure if that was from the weight of the decision I’d made or from blood loss.

Good. Now stay with me.He trotted ahead, his discomfort increasing from his injury.I don’t want to lose you in this mess.

Swallowing hard, I pushed myself off the trunk, and the pain pulsed. Darkness clouded my vision. Most of the secret society coven members had abandoned their guns and were back to using their magic, which somehow comforted me, even though it was just as deadly.

A few gunshots still rang through, indicating not all our attackers had abandoned their weapons.

I focused internally on the sounds of animals coming toward us. I didn’t know why they felt the need to protect me, but I wouldn’t complain.

My head grew dizzy, and I tripped on a root. I caught myself, and my entire body jerked, causing the vomit tocome up. My stomach emptied, and the sound of fast footsteps had my head tilting forward.

The shorter man who’d attacked me earlier raced toward me, fangs extended. I tried to prepare myself to fight, but it was impossible.

I’d have to use my power.

I lifted my good hand, ignoring the way my back felt as if it would separate, and focused on his dead, milky-brown eyes. I needed him to die, and before I understood what happened, my power had shot out, and his head exploded.

Pieces of tissue and blood splattered the nearby trees and the vampire’s body as it sank to the ground.

Thank goodness I’d already vomited, or I’d be upchucking right now.

Some of the Circle coven members had seen what I’d done to the vampire.

“Dear goddess.” A middle-aged man paled as he froze.

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