Page 103 of Snag
The second essence rope comes up against me, against everything I am … and simply encircles me, unable to grab hold. I reach for it instinctively. And just as I threatened Bellamy earlier, I grab its tail and whip it back at its caster with a flick of my wrist.
The third strand targets Reck as he shields the kids while they run for the SUV. DeVille stupidly wrenches away from the older shifter’s loose hold and throws himself in front of Presh. The essence hits him directly in the chest, throwing him back into Reck and Presh, taking both of them off their feet.
Reck curls around Presh, protecting her from the pavement.
Wilson screams in frustration, presumably at being hit with her own casting.
Shaw, who was running for Reck or maybe Presh, hesitates— just long enough for me to tear free the containment spell still trying to erode the hasty shield Bellamy constructed, then fling it toward the shifter.
Partially dispelled, the repurposed spell is only strong enough to wrap around Shaw’s legs, slowing him down rather than stopping him in his tracks. He face-plants into the pavement.
I throw a look Bellamy’s way, finally taking a moment to wipe the spatter of blood off my face. The warm liquid that hit me a moment ago. “Stop fucking cutting yourself,” I snap.
She blinks for a moment, then snarls back, “I do what I have to.”
Already moving forward to intercept the Authority mage, I simply shake my head at the dire awry. Wilson is pulling power into her wand, readying to channel another strike. And she’s not going to bother with something as gentle as a containment spell this time.
Behind me, Reck is on his feet and crossing toward Shaw as he tears through the last of the containment spell wrapped around his ankles. Shaw’s hands are clawed, face bloodied from his fall but already healing.
Presh is trying to get the spell off DeVille, but he’s thrashing and snarling against its hold so viciously that she can’t get near him.
“In the SUV, Presh!” Reck snaps.
Wilson points her wand at me.
Shaw, having also decided I’m the biggest threat — and he’s not wrong — takes a running leap at me.
An all-encompassing roar rips from DeVille. He transforms with a crack of bones and a twisting of flesh. The containment spell attempting to hold him is ripped asunder as the young shifter involuntarily takes the form of his beast. Claws score the pavement. Ridiculously long fangs — four of them, two upper and two lower — bite at the air as DeVille, as his beast, writhes in utter agony.
Reck pivots back, raising his hand and screaming, “Stop!”
He means it as a caution to Precious, who’s still reaching for DeVille. But essence fueled by his fear, histerror, flares from him. It explodes outward, actually buffeting me.
Everyone just stops. Except for Reck and me.
Shaw, in the middle of his lunge toward me, pauses, balanced on one foot. Wilson holds, her essence gathered all around the tip of her wand, ready to unleash it toward me. Bellamy, blood dripping down both forearms now, is in the middle of pushing away from the sedan to seemingly step between me and the mage.
And DeVille is frozen in his beast form, crouched on all fours, neck arched back, massive maw yawning wide in pain. His fur is a lighter gray around his face, chest, and belly, but dark gray, spotted and striped in black, along his massive body.
He’s a fucking smilodon — more commonly known as a prehistoric sabertooth tiger.
His hair color in human form makes much more sense now.
Reck takes a shuddering breath. His disconcerted dark-eyed gaze flicks to me, as if I have any answers for him regarding his own power.
I shrug.
He fucking glowers at me, totally pissy again in an instant.
Precious breaks Reck’s hold first, hands flying to her face as she takes in DeVille.
“Get in!” Reck shouts.
She jerks, then stumbles back toward the SUV.
Energy snaps out from Bellamy toward Wilson. Dark-tainted essence writhes around the still-frozen mage, collecting along her extended wand. The wand snaps in her hand, and the spell coiled ready within it implodes— taking Wilson’s hand with it. Her mouth drops open in asoundless scream as she clutches her severed limb to her chest and drops to her knees.
“Huh …” Bellamy says, tilting her head thoughtfully.
