Page 79 of Wolf Touched

The witch closest to me screamed and raised her hands. Water surged toward me, wetting my face and fur, but the pressure didn’t affect me. The water washed the grit from my face and eyes, making me more comfortable.

“Dear goddess,” the woman muttered, lowering her hands. “How is that possible?”

Great question, and one I’d like to understand myself, but it seemed no one understood what I was capable of since apparently, no other arcane-born had completed their bond with their fated mate.

“Then we’ll do the next best thing.” The other woman, with blood splattered on her face, lifted her hands.

A tornado appeared among Raffe, Lucy, and Keith, lifting them several feet off the ground.

I had to end her before they got too high.

“Maggy, have you lost your damn mind?” the middle-aged witch next to her gasped. “Did you see what she did to Tucker?”

“We attacked them—they won’t let us walk away,” the older woman rasped, her brown eyes turning as black as the sky.

I focused on her hands, but my power sputtered, hitting a high fizz at most. I’d drained myself at this unideal time.

Gritting my teeth, I forced myself back onto my feet as growls, cries, and snarls rang in my ears and the stench of copper damn near made me gag. This was worse than any fight I’d ever been part of, and I suspected if we survived, a worse one would come next.

As I took a step, all four of my legs gave out, and I landed heavily on my stomach.

No. I had to fight her and save Raffe and the others.

Then I heard the sounds of animals, our saviors, rushing toward us. I had to do something to get Raffe and the others down.

I leaned my head back and howled, allowing my agony, fear, and anger to echo in my cry. I wanted the animals to know where to come. Then I snarled as I forced myself back onto my feet.

Refusing to fall, I charged forward, each step sending pain slicing through my entire body. With no time to waste, I hurried toward her.

The witch with water magic sprayed me, but I pushed through it.

“Maggy,” the older woman croaked, but it was too late.

My teeth sank into Maggy’s throat, and I jerked my head, ripping it out. I crashed onto the ground, my strength giving out.

When I heard Raffe, Lucy, and Keith hit the ground behind me, I linked,I need help.

I hated to pull them in my direction, but I couldn’t stand anymore.

On our way, Raffe replied, and I heard paws padding toward me.

The older witch removed a dagger from underneath her dress and stood over me, her eyes wild.

Raffe couldn’t get here in time. This had to be it. My luck had run out.

She swung her dagger downward.

No!Raffe yelled.

Something streaked across my vision and knocked into the woman’s hand.

“Argh,” she groaned as the dagger dropped to the ground.

Then, the same fluffy gray blob swooped down beside me, grabbed the dagger in its talons, flapped its wings, and darted into the sky.

An owl.

My chest heaved with relief as animals flooded the area. Bobcats, deer, raccoons, coyotes, and others that I could hear but couldn’t see.

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