Untamed Fate (Magic Side: Wolf Bound 2)

of protection,” she explained. “As long as we’re in here, we’ll be protected

from the demons.”

Casey dumped a hefty bag of coal into a wide brass brazier set into one of

the other circles.

“The coal is an offering, used to lure the demons and give them form in

our world,” my aunt continued. She flicked her eyes to me. “Kahanov would

have used blood to summon the blood demons that attacked you. A lot of it.”

Memories of the blood drainers with all their tubes and IV bags brought

bile to my throat.

At my aunt’s command, Casey lobbed a fireball into the pile of coal.

Bright orange flames flickered in his eyes as he grinned at me. “You’re going

to love this.”

Why didn’t I believe him?

Laurel gently shoved me inside the glowing circle of protection, and

Casey joined me. She strode to the burning heap of coal and poured her

magic into it until the surrounding circle of runes glowed bright red.

With a swift gesture, she raised her hands, and all the shadows of the

room swung toward her. She began chanting and weaving her hands, and the

world twisted around her silhouette. Vertigo squirmed in my belly, and I

grabbed Casey’s arm as the room spun.

As my aunt’s voice rose in tempo, the air crackled with power, and the

scent of brimstone burned my throat. The fire seemed to suck the shadows

inward.

No doubt about it—this was definitely diabolic magic.

An ear-splitting screech echoed through the room, and a sinister form

rose from the flames, clawing at the air.

My aunt scurried back to the circle of protection just as the lighting in the

candlelit room returned to normal, leaving a flaming demon perched atop the

pile of coal.

It was about two feet tall.