The Devil's Kiss - By Stacey Kennedy Page 0,34

the magic shooting at us.

Being that this was my first real assignment against witches, I didn’t really get the whole gist of it. The more it went on, the more I could see there was strategy here.

Zia had the strongest defensive magic. It would have to be Zia that would need to destroy the witches, but she wasn’t safe like I was with my shield. The other White Magic witches provided that protection for her—using their magic to put up walls, create wind—do anything that would deflect their power away. They did everything possible so Zia could destroy the threat.

The remaining two witches continued to come at us hard, blasting with swirls of fire, swoops of air, just about every type of natural disaster imaginable. One option weighed heavily on me.

Not long ago, I’d discovered that I held the ability to draw the darkness into me. Not accept it in any way, but gain the strength that Black Magic provides. It was an easy way out, but the more I accepted it, the harder it would be to resist it. Zia was sure of that.

In resignation, I let go of that thought and continued to assist Zia in our attack against the witches. Sweat gathered on my skin as it took every ounce of my control to hold my shield against their force.

Zia stepped forward, braced herself, and released the magnitude of her ability. Combining her Air and Water together with such a force, she blew apart the witch in front of her, causing her to explode into tiny particles through the sky.

After the initial shock of seeing Zia’s magnificent powers, I focused on the lone witch. She continued to weave around the magic. Zia went harder, dug down deeper, not letting up for a second. I followed her moves, sent my Fire to join in with Zia’s Air as the other White Magic Witches continued to protect her.

However, it was pointless. This witch held the ability to move in lighting fast speed. Before the magic would hit her, she released her own, and quickly dodged ours.

We needed to end this.

“We have to work together,” I urged Zia.

She squealed as fire blasted up her arm. “Thoughts quickly.”

“You need to distract her, so that I can hold her.”

“Watch closely.”

Over and over Zia went at her, but the witch moved quickly away. My gaze followed her movements, anticipated the way she threw her magic, so I could understand her next move. She weaved her from left to right quickly.

I focused on the rhythm. When I knew I had it right, I released my Air in full force of its strength. The witch instantly realized what we had done. Her eyes went wide as she stood frozen, unable to move. Knowing she was scared shitless expression, I sent a fireball blasting toward her.

Seconds later, it was over.

Without thought, I hurried over to Willow. “Are you okay? Please be okay,” I pleaded, reaching out to touch her. Her chest continued to rise and fall. She was still alive. I drew in a deep breath quickly and sent a blast of Spirit to heal her.

A split second later, Willow jumped to her feet and scowled at me. “Ouch that hurt. You better appreciate what I do for you,” she said, her tone snarky.

I let out a deep breath. Relieved, annoyed—I was just glad she was okay. “I thought she killed you.”

Willow grinned in her feline way. “It takes more than one psycho bitch to knock off this kitten.”

Chapter Eight

When we returned to the Otherworld, Zia joined the Council in her chair and I glanced around. Except for the Witches who had joined in on the fight, and the Council, the hall was empty. “Where’s Kyden?” I asked.

He had been angry, but he wasn’t that mad that’d he wouldn’t wait for me. I was expecting him to snatch me up in his arms when I returned, not leave me deserted.

“Out on assignment,” Talon replied.

This wasn’t good. Well, having Kyden no longer angry was good, but what Talon had just implied was so very bad. “A wolf assignment?” I asked hesitantly.

Talon nodded, reassuringly. “Do not worry yourself. We have sent Finn along with him.”

“It’s not him I’m worried about,” I stated, glancing at Zia.

“I have to agree,” she said grimly. “This is very worrisome.”

Talon raised a brow, missing the gist of our conversation.

“If there was another wolf incident,” I answered his unasked question. “Then, the witches we encountered tonight were not the only ones.”

The light dawned for