Page 378 of Axis of Fire

Pathetic as it was, they were the only shield I had.

“Damn it!” Loretta shouted from somewhere across the hall.

I braced for the impact.

It never came.

Slowly, I lowered my hands.

Seris stood directly in front of me.

A wall of blue fire hung frozen in the air, holding back the barrage of spikes.

Taylor had moved beside him, already in a fighting stance.

The scorpion on his shoulder shifted restlessly while both boys strained against the force pressing toward us.

Loretta clutched her shoulder.

Blood seeped between her fingers.

Gianna stood frozen, just as stunned as I was.

“I can't hold this much longer,” Seris growled.

His boots scraped backward across the floor as the pressure forced him to give ground.

“I guess this is one of our training exercises,” Taylor said, irritation evident even in his calm voice. “Anyone have a plan?”

Pushing herself upright, Loretta flicked her wrist.

A lattice of living shadows spread over Seris's shield, reinforcing it like a second layer.

But the shadows were already beginning to crack.

The bears unleashed another volley of spikes.

“What are those spikes made of?” I asked, forcing myself back to my feet.

If I couldn't help with my magic...

Then I'd help with my brain.

“They look almost like dried branches,” Loretta said through gritted teeth.

“Can your fire do anything to them?” I asked Seris.

Right now, burning everything to the ground sounded like the perfect solution.

“My Iceflame doesn't burn,” he replied through strained breaths. “It only freezes.”

I bit the inside of my cheek.

My eyes shifted to Taylor.

A sheen of sweat glistened across his forehead.

Maybe what he'd said earlier wasn't a theory anymore.