“But—” Dru started.
Octavia lifted her weapon and interjected, “She’s right. Let’s clear them out so we can actually save her parents and take care of her.”
Lucy hurried over, eyes forward, searching for a threat, with Fane right beside her.
Gunfire continued, and I watched as three wolf shifters from Keagan’s pack were taken down. Two raccoons grabbed the hands of one of the wolf shifters in animal form on our side that was injured, half guiding, half dragging him toward the woods to safety.
My stomach roiled. This was a bloodbath.
There was no way in hell I’d stay here and not fight alongside them. I just needed to find a damn way to get enough strength to stand.
The coven attacked. Priestess Ednah and Priestess Caroline stood side by side, taking on the enemy together. Water shot from Ednah’s hands while flames expelled from Caroline’s.
A few screamed, but the twenty-ish who’d stopped to help the people impacted by the collapsed porch were engaged in battle once more.
Raffe, Adam, and Keith barreled forward, attacking three of the people in front who’d pivoted to fire at our witches. Octavia, Dru, and Fane fired, though they struggled to find clear shots with our witches and wolf shifters fighting.
I took a deep breath to steady myself. I had to find the strength to get up and fight alongside them.
Two bobcats tugged Dave from a spot in the center of the yard, heading toward us. He groaned, his face white, and did his best to push himself along and help them. A warlock yanked on the second vampire to get him out of harm’s way as well.
Now that my adrenaline had worn off, the agony from my wound crept back in, making it feel as if my muscles were ripping apart.
Then I watched in horror as a woman turned her gun on my mate.
Fear strangled me, and I jumped to my feet.Raffe, watch out,I linked, trying to run toward him, but my feet moved way too slowly.
When the woman pulled the trigger, my world stopped. Raffe’s body jerked backward, and he flipped onto his back.
I swallowed past a large lump, yanking like hell against my power. It wasn’t even flickering. Still, I had to get to my mate before he got hit again.
My wolf surged toward the location of my power and pulled on the fated mate connection. Something flared inside me, causing my power to hum.
I pushed my power toward the woman with her gun trained on my mate, and her head exploded. Blood and tissue flew out, and her body crashed to the ground.
Knowing that my power wouldn’t last long, I pulled as much energy as possible into myself and linked,Get Raffe out of there.Acid burned in my throat at the state he was in, and worse, I knew this was a battle we couldn’t win, which meant I had to do everything I could … even if I died in the process. Everyone here had risked their lives for my parents and me, and they deserved me doing my best for them.
Blurry images came from both sides of us as wolves raced behind the vampires, heading toward us, and more animals ran into the clearing, distracting our enemies.
I suspected more Veiled Circle coven members would be coming forth shortly, using their magic against us.
I lifted my arms outward, imagining the twenty vampires knocked back as Olwyn, Aldric, and Warin pushed their way out of the porch disaster.
My power blasted the twenty vampires, tossing them back several feet into the side of the house with sickeningsplats. I didn’t have time to think about what I might have done to them.
I raced toward my mate and funneled my power around me.
Skylar, stay put!Raffe linked, his eyes widening as he twisted around, trying to get back on all four paws.You’re too exhausted. Just wait there, and I’ll be back to you soon. I need you safe.
His pain pulsed through our connection as he stood, confirming what I feared. He was hurt just as bad as I was. For the moment, I rode high on power, not feeling my pain. I linked,There’s no way in hell I’m staying back when you’re injured. What would you do if it were me?
He stumbled, and fear stabbed my chest. I had to reach him. He was one of their main targets.
“This ends now!” Olwyn exclaimed and lifted her hands to unleash her magic. “Caroline, you should have known not to get involved. Slade, take care of Ednah, the fucking traitor. She has water magic like you.” Her face twisted into a sneer, and she unleashed her fire power at Caroline.
Priestess Caroline didn’t hesitate, their flames colliding. Sparks shimmered from their streams together while Slade focused on the other priestess, wanting to take out the strongest of both covens, which would impact all of them.
Sedona hunkered to one side, causing the ground to quake underneath them as new enemy wolves attacked.