Wicked Deal (Shadow Guild: The Rebel 2)

“Might as well try,” Quinn said.

No one else had any ideas, so we stepped back and watched as Eve raised her hand. Her hair seemed to prickle with white light, which arced down her arm. Thunder cracked as it burst from her hand, shooting into the barrier.

The shining white bolt collided with the shield, and the force of it blasted us all backward. I landed hard, pain screaming through me, then scrambled upright, my head ringing.

The barrier stood strong and undamaged.

Grey rose gracefully, striding toward it. He picked up speed, his footsteps pounding the ground. His speed blew my mind, and when he plowed into the barrier, he broke through with sheer force.

It sent another shock wave toward us, slightly weaker this time. I stumbled backward, watching him appear on the other side.

He turned to us, face tight. “I don’t recommend that. Hurts like hell.”

I approached, staring at him through the barrier. It made his form appear wavy, as if I were looking through water.

“Step aside.” A gravelly voice sounded from behind me.

I turned to see the biggest of his shifter guards preparing to run through the barrier. Quinn shot him a look like he was crazy, then got out of his way. I did the same, clearing the path.

The shifter charged, transforming into a bear as he ran. His gleaming brown fur rippled over enormous muscles as he hurtled toward the barrier. He moved like a steam train, and I watched in awe as he slammed into the barrier.

And bounced off.

I stumbled back, forced by the reverberation of the shockwave.

The bear groaned, then rolled over and stood on shaky legs.

“I’m out,” Mac said. “If the bear can’t do it, none of us can.”

I looked toward Grey. He was the strongest by far, but he couldn’t face down Ivan’s whole team alone.

From the look in his eyes, though, that was exactly what he planned to do. Frustrated, I approached the

barrier again.

“Carrow, don’t.” He held out his hand. “It’s too difficult.”

“I’m not going to try to blast my way through like you did.” I knew my limitations.

And my strengths.

I just needed to understand the barrier better.

I raised my hand, hovering it over the shimmering surface, not quite touching.

How do I get through you?

Would my magic work without touch? Could I possibly figure this out?

A vision flashed in my mind, bright and pure: a light, gleaming from a tiny crystal.

Orion’s Heart, hanging on the chain around my neck, suddenly felt heavy and solid. I reached for it, pulled it up, and slipped it over my head. The chain dangled from my hand as I raised the crystal to the barrier.

“Careful,” Grey said.

The barrier pricked painfully against my hand as I pressed the crystal into it. It was definitely weaker down here, as Mariketta had said. It felt even weaker than it had been when I’d touched it just moments ago. Dusk must be fully here.

Orion’s Heart seemed to warm, softening the barrier, almost melting it. I pushed hard, forcing my entire arm through the now gelatinous barrier. I kept pushing, and soon, I stood on the other side.