But the men were once again closing in fast and time wasn't on my side. Panic surged, but this time, there was no answering rush of energy to accompany it. My body had nothing more to give.
Azriel, I thought again, where the hell are you?
Fingers reached for me—something I felt rather than saw. But this time, it came from the front rather than behind. I slid to a halt, but to no avail. A hand grabbed me and yanked me forward—not into capturing arms but behind a body that blazed with heat.
Azriel.
He took shape, his sword dripping blue fire as it arced over his head, slicing the air with a scream. Slicing the throats of the two men as easily as a hot knife through butter.
As their bodies and severed heads dropped to the floor, Azriel turned, his blue eyes as bright as the blaze of his sword.
"We must go. The Raziq will have felt the death of their creatures. There are far too many of them here for me to battle."
I nodded, unable to speak, my breath rasping and body shaking with fatigue and reaction.
"Risa," he said, my name sounding oddly sweet on his lips. "We must go."
"I can't," I said, the words forced and hoarse. "No energy to change."
He said something I didn't understand, the words musical but oddly vehement. "Wrap your arms around my neck," he added, then glanced over his shoulder. His sword seemed to blaze brighter and began emitting a soft hum. "Hurry. They come."
I didn't argue. I wasn't in any state to face the Aedh, and I sure wasn't about to argue if Azriel felt no inclination to do so, either.
I pressed my body against his and hugged him close. Though he had no identifiable scent of his own, he smelled of rain and freshness, and the heat of his skin burned into mine, chasing away the chill and lending me strength.
His arm came around my waist, holding me steady as his gaze met mine. "Ready?"
I nodded, my eyes searching his, wondering at the slight flicker in those bright depths. It was almost as if he were fighting a reaction—although maybe that was just wishful thinking.