around. Two Narcos fired round after round of Flame at Jace. And, crap. More were coming toward us.
I took a step off the crest, and the blue shield dimmed. No. I slammed my hands against my thighs and turned toward Jace.
Jace blocked a blast from one of the Narcos and turned toward me. “Dez! Finish it!”
God. How could he ask me to do this while he died? I glanced down the road. At least five more were moving in, getting closer. I panicked. If I didn’t help him they’d kill him and come for me next. Even if I finished the spell, we’d still have to fight them. I made my decision.
I summoned my Charge and ran toward Jace. At least I could hide who I was…for a while. I sent a blot of Charge at the Narco blasting Jace. He fell, but recovered quickly.
“What are you doing?” Jace yelled. “I told you before, you have to work the—”
“To hell with it! What good is it if we’re dead?”
Jace shrugged. “Good point.” Then he blocked a Flame coming at us.
I moved behind him and dropped into a crouch, sending another bolt at the firing Narco. “You block. I’ll shoot.”
Jace didn’t argue. He knew my reach was farther than his. I sent bolts at the closest Narco until he ran. My spirits picked up until I saw that he was only running toward the approaching guards—regrouping. Damn.
“I can’t block all of them,” Jace admitted. “We’re going to have to retreat.”
I glanced at the barrier. The blue light grew smaller, and the sky was beginning to lighten just over the ocean’s horizon. We were almost out of time, and soon the Feyan Army would march in. Retreat wasn’t an option. There wouldn’t be another chance to raise the barrier after they slaughtered us. And if this many Narcos were coming after only the two of us, that meant the main battle in the center of Haven wasn’t going well for the Shythe.
“No,” I told him. “We have to make a stand now and raise the barrier.” I stood in front of Jace, calling my Feyan power forth. My arms illuminated.
“What are you doing, Dez?” Jace asked, attempting to pull me with him.
“Taking them out.” I willed my White Flame forth. “I’m not going down without a fight.”
A faint smile crept over his face. “Can you do that crazy thing you did in second block?”
“I’m going to try.”
“Count me in,” he said, taking his stand right beside me. “Let’s give these assholes hell.”
Bringing my hands out before me, white flames burst from my palms as I shifted into my Kythan form. I sent a beam at the first Narco coming toward us. He tried to block, but was blasted back on his butt. He didn’t get up. Jace sent out bolts, but too many flames came at him to block. I stepped in front of him and urged my power up full force. The white haze surrounded us, and I rocketed out my shield. Seven Narcos all flew into the air, landing on their backs, stunned. I smiled, about to turn back toward the barrier, when I froze, staring down the street.
“That power is so bad,” Jace said and laughed. Then his expression waxed, his face paling when he saw what I was staring at—the battle was moving our way. A group of Shythe retreated as the Narco Army pushed them back.
“Here it comes,” I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest, waiting for the impact.
“I thought you guys were given a direct order?” someone said from behind me.
I spun around to see Nick, Lana, and Devon all fired up and glowing. “What are you guys doing here?” I asked.
“Saving you guys, I guess,” Nick said.
I laughed. I was so happy to see them. But then my mood dimmed. We were all about to be hit with the full front of the battle.
We formed a line, with me in the center. “This is it. When the Shythe move behind us, we let loose.” I swallowed hard. I wasn’t ready for this to be it.
A warm hand engulfed mine. I looked to my left as Jace laced his fingers through mine. “Always,” he said. Then the attack hit.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
A NARCO I RECOGNIZED from my training block held me in a headlock, lifting me off the ground. I really hated that. I threaded my foot around his calf and ignited my White Flame, slamming my hands against his head. I swept my foot forward, and