Page 35 of Wolf Touched

I watched Raffe fold under our pressure. He sighed. “Yeah.”

Keith pressed his lips into a line. “Really?” His voice was a note higher than Josie’s.

The air pulsed around me, feeling like sandpaper rubbing against my skin.

My heart stopped.

Coven magic.

I spun around and stared out the house’s wide windows just as flames shot from multiple spots at the edge of the woods, where the raccoons and the foxes had been, and engulfed the side of the house.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Flames ignited, and tendrils licked the doorframe while the floor underneath our feet quaked.

“It’s the coven! We’ve gotta get out of here!” I yelled, needing Octavia and Dave—and not just the shifters—to hear my message. We had to get our asses out of here fast. We had no clue what we were up against.

My power hummed within my blood, and my wolf stirred restlessly.

The coven members who could harness the elements were the strongest of their species. The longer we stayed here, the more screwed we were, but I didn’t want to freak out Octavia and Dave more than they probably were.

As the house’s vibrations increased, the couch banged against the wall. It felt like an earthquake, but I guessed it wouldn’t be over in seconds. I’d seen Slade and his friends use elemental magic before, and they could channel it for several minutes. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever seen any of them tire out since Slade had betrayed me, so I wasn’t sure how long they could last.

People scattered down the stairs, and I knew the covenmembers wouldn’t wait around to see what happened. They’d be surrounding the house.

The power wanted to leave my body, which meant I needed to go outside and direct it toward the threat. Otherwise, I’d assist them in ripping this house apart.

I was hurrying toward the door, ready to face them, when a large, rough hand grabbed my arm. The buzz immediately told me who it was, and my power calmed to a high fizz.

Where the fuck do you think you’re going?Raffe growled.We need to get out of here, not run toward danger.

I lifted my chin.You don’t think they’re waiting for us out there?

He frowned.Maybe, but we need to check before knowingly running into danger.

The walls cracked, and I feared the structure might collapse and trap everyone inside. I had to do something to keep the house together, but I had no clue what or how. Damn lack of training. Therehadto be a way to control this power.

We need help!Josie linked.Dave can’t get up, and his room is filled with smoke.

This kept getting better. I took off for the stairs, and Raffe cursed.

Keith and Adam, check outside. If you don’t sense anyone, let us know, and we’ll get the hell out of here,Raffe commanded as he followed on my heels.

The floor was shaking so hard that my teeth clacked together, and each step was unsteady. When I reached the first step, I jumped and landed on the bottom floor.

The reason the house was so unstable became clear. Earth, rock, and trees had cracked through the foundation and floor and kept growing.

My lungs seized. Our time was running out.

Octavia and Lucy were in the hallway, moving slowly. Cat-Keith clung to Lucy like she was her lifeline. Something new broke through the foundation every second, making progress difficult.

Which room is Dave in?Raffe asked, scanning the four doors in front of us. Of course, Lucy pointed to the one to the right, farthest from the stairs.

Raffe took off just as a tree jutted from the floor, knocking him back.

I had to dosomethingso the coven couldn’t focus all their magic on the house. But what?

We can’t reach the vehicles,Keith linked, his panic surging through the pack link.We’re blocked from getting off the front porch. We’re heading back to you.

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