Page 42 of Shadowed Spirits

I glance around the chamber, idly taking in the burnished wood floors, a thick gold embroidered rug at the center, and three chandeliers dripping with diamonds. The walnut viewing stands are empty behind us. They only fill up for trials and executions, the average mage uninterested in day-to-day council proceedings. At least we won’t have an audience for this.

Instead of knocking all the guards out, Levi’s mist bounces off at least half of them and doesn’t affect Doyle. I swear under my breath, as our plan is already going to shit. “What the fuck is going on, Levi?”

“Lua must’ve given some of them protection charms. My suspended animation magic isn’t working on about half of them.” Levi lets his black mist fade away and concentrates on keeping his shield up. Arcs of red magic occasionally shoot toward the guards, who are pummeling our dome with their own magic. Much like the black mist, Levi’s red magic bounces harmlessly off of the guards.

“Ferire,” I mutter, sending a punch of magic toward the council goon directly in front of me. I groan when it doesn’t doany damage, either. If we can’t hurt any of them with magic, I have no idea what we’re supposed to do, other than retreat. If Levi’s magic isn’t working, I doubt he can erase their memories, so there will absolutely be a huge manhunt for the six of us. “What do we do now?”

“Kill them. Obviously.” Izzy tries to push her way to the front, her hands glowing with her light blue magic. I turn around to level her with a glare. I made it very clear that the only way I’d allow her to come with us is if she says in the middle of the five of us. At my narrowed eyes, she huffs and crosses her arms but doesn’t try to get out from behind me.

“Let’s try to minimize the killing, yeah? We are on council grounds, and the more people we kill, the bigger mess we have to clean up.” Not that we’re able to even stun any of them. I knew our plan was rushed and had holes, but I didn’t think it would go quite this badly.

Izzy pouts. “Party pooper.” Despite her playful expression, Izzy’s gray eyes are assessing the situation, and I can see the wheels turning in her head as she tries to figure out a solution.

“Halt!” Doyle yells from his spot on the dark wood council dais. He sits at the center chair that’s decorated with ornate gold filigree and sparkling rubies. The pudgy man’s face is twisted into a smug smirk.

The guards who weren’t knocked out stop flinging magic at Levi’s dome. Their hands still glow with various shades of magic, ready to resume their attack at a moment’s notice.

“After your last attack,” Doyle starts. His face lights up when he sees Levi’s confused expression. “Surprised I remember? My partner helped illuminate the blanks in my memory you thought you created. I remember all about your little visit two days ago. That’s why I made sure to up my security, which my partner helped with.”

While Levi scoffs at Doyle, his black and red eyes shine with concern. “If you think you’re in a partnership with LuaMater, you’re stupider than I thought.”

Doyle’s face turns red in anger. He aims a bolt of sickly brown magic at Levi’s defensive dome. Instead of just bouncing off, the hit rattles the shield. Levi grits his teeth as he funnels more magic into securing it.

“As I was saying, I know all about Isabel Gallagher’s spirit mage status.” Izzy gasps silently behind me, and Doyle’s smarmy smile widens. I have the urge to punch him for stressing out my mate. “So, here’s how this is going to go. You’re going to give yourself up, and everyone who knows you’re a spirit mage will be executed quickly and painlessly. The same can’t be said for you, because I have to make an example of the mage who evaded detection for so long. I’m sure you understand.”

“Hmm. Lemme think about that one.” Izzy taps her chin and looks up at the ceiling, pretending to consider his demand. “Not a fucking chance, dickbag. Pro tip—if you want someone to agree to your demands, don’t lead with killing everyone they care about.”

Doyle lets out a loud sigh. “Very well. It didn’t have to be this way. You only have yourself to blame for what happens to your loved ones, spirit mage.” With a flick of his wrist, Doyle signals for the guards to resume their attack.

Since my magic doesn’t work on the offense, I try to put up a defensive shield on top of Levi’s to give him a break. It shatters with the first hit, and I growl in frustration. Whatever magic these guards are using isn’t normal mage magic. I’m stronger than most mages out there, so the guards should be hard-pressed to get past my dome, rather than able to destroy it with one hit.

Izzy tries throwing up a shield as well. Hers lasts a little longer than mine, but it explodes after the fifth hit. She wincesat the recoil of her magic back into her, which stokes my rage. Anyone who hurts my mate will die, violently and painfully. Yet, I can’t do jack shit to protect her right now. I’m useless, and it kills me. I know the wolves are having the same issue, as they’re stuck in the dome watching, unable to help. A quick glance behind me confirms that Cain’s hellhound form is coming out. Whether that’ll help or hinder us, I don’t know.

Even though her shields keep breaking, Izzy continues throwing them up to help Levi. She’s getting drained, though. Her shields keep flickering into existence more and more slowly.

Levi notices it too. His face is also drawn and tired, the strain of holding up a shield under attack getting to him too. He looks around the council chambers before turning back to Izzy, his expression grim. “I can open a rift, and the rest of you can get out of here.”

“No fucking way, screech owl. I’m staying here with you. Besides, leaving won’t solve anything. They’ll just come after me at a later date. I’m staying, and we’re finishing this fight. Together.” Resolve hardens Izzy’s face as she prepares to throw up another shield, but we need to figure out something other than standing here like sitting ducks, and fast.

He gives her a steely nod and turns back to the battle. While his focus was on Izzy, Levi’s shield wavered slightly. An arc of bright green magic breaks through the dome before Levi can resolidify it. It slams full force into his side, the impact throwing him back.

“No!” Izzy screams as Levi crumples to the floor, the sound full of heartbreak and anguish.

Her hair starts floating on a nonexistent breeze, and her eyes glow a neon purple as she stares at her injured—or worse—mate. Cerberus appears in their rottweiler form as she lets out a wordless scream. Royal purple magic, differently colored than her normal magic, explodes from Izzy. As it ripples through thecouncil chamber, anyone it touches slumps to the floor, lifeless. None of the guards nor Doyle have a chance to run before it sweeps through them. The only sound in the council chambers is their bodies hitting the floor with a thump.

When the wave of magic fades, Izzy blinks a few times before looking around the council chamber in confusion. Her eyes widen when she sees the carnage her magic left behind. She turns a panicked and slightly guilty gaze on me. “Oh, fuck. I think I ripped out their souls.”

CHAPTER 23

IZZY

Istare at Bishop’s wide-eyed gaze in panic until Levi groans softly on the ground. Feeling like a horrible mate that I was momentarily distracted from Levi being hurt, I rush over to his side. I drop to my knees and feel relief soar in my chest that his eyes are open and alert. He gives me a half smile and struggles to sit up.

I put my hands out to keep him from getting up. “Stop! You’re injured. Just lie there until I figure out how to fix you.”

“Do you need assistance,sagana?”Cer asks from beside me.

I whip my head around to look at them in shock. I never even noticed them appearing. “Can you help me stuff all their souls back into their bodies?”

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