Page 76 of The Last Aether

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I whirled around to face the forest as Phoenix called fire to his hands. Arrows sailed through the air, and he sent balls of flame, engulfing each one.

Then there were more, coming from too many directions. But it was impossible to see the source. I threw my hands up, sending a wall of air that knocked the arrows back as Phoenix yelled for the guys.

Atlas, Kai, and Riven charged out of the house. Guards ran from around the front of the dorm, but there were only two of them.

“Where is everyone?” Riven demanded.

One of the guards glanced over his shoulder as if there might be someone else to answer. “They were called off on patrols.”

Atlas cursed. “Trap.”

“Help Phoenix,” I yelled.

“I’m fine,” he gritted out.

“You have an arrow sticking out of your shoulder!”

“Hell,” Kai muttered and looked at Riven. “Can you work your magic?”

“And I wouldn’t mind a little help,” I muttered as sweat broke out on my brow.

Atlas was by my side in a flash, his air affinity swirled with mine as the guards charged towards the woods, looking for the assailants. I tried to extend the air barrier to protect them too, but I could only stretch it so far.

I glanced over my shoulder to see Riven working his air around the arrow and pulling it from Phoenix’s body. Phoenix grunted in pain as the arrow pulled free.

A blast of power sent me reeling back. I stumbled, losing my footing and crashing to the ground.

“What the hell was that?” Atlas yelled as a fireball flew past his head.

Riven crouched in front of me, eyes narrowing at the trees. “That was a hell of an air strike.”

Hooded figures emerged from the woods. Too many coming too fast.

The guys were already on their feet, readying for battle.

One Network assassin lifted a gun and pointed it at Kai. My reaction was complete instinct. Fire shot from my palm, engulfing the man in flames. He screamed and writhed, falling to the ground as the fire consumed him.

Shock flooded my system as I stared down at my hands. Horror and relief at what I was capable of.

Arms wrapped around me, dragging me to the side as fire shot by me. Riven hauled me behind the table. “Stay here.”

I shook my head, trying to clear the shock. “I can help.”

“Aura—”

“I can’t sit by while you’re fighting for your lives.”

He growled but nodded. “Stick by my side.”

“Like glue.”

We shot up from behind the table, and I called my earth gift to my palms as two assassins charged towards Atlas. Pulling the ground around a tall pine, I uprooted it and sent it hurtling towards the man and woman. It took them out in a single blow.

Kai shot a stream of water at a man as he lifted a bow and arrow, snapping his neck.

Phoenix was locked in hand-to-hand with another assassin. The man pulled a knife, punching it into Phoenix’s side. He barely blinked. But when his fist struck the man’s face, flames engulfed him.