Micah barely grunted as the witchfire singed his shoulder, his body shielding Xenia’s. Smoke curled off his skin, but he stayed upright, golden eyes blazing.

“Remember! That’s not just Lillian,” he growled. “Melania’s in there.”

Laurie’s eyes widened, magic crackling around her fingertips. “That explains the strength. Lillian wasn’t this powerful before.”

Cristobal readied his sword, standing at Xenia’s side with a smirk aimed at Micah. “Then let’s put her down before she gets any stronger. You can keep up, wolf-boy?”

Micah grinned. “Try not to fall behind, soldier.”

Laurie stepped forward. “You two can measure egos later. She’s still attacking Xenia.”

Xenia had just rolled behind a boulder, her...