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“We need to stick together and check on him. We don’t have to go down there.”
“He didn’t have magic. He was doing trick shots to get their approval and get us an in,” Ruby confessed.
He bit back an oath, wishing the man was here so he could throw a punch. At the same time, he understood what Brian was trying to do and could fault the action, not the intention.
“Fine. We spread around and find him. But Ruby, you need to stick with one of us.”
She looked ready to argue but backed down. “Moon. I can soothe him in case he loses control.”
“I’m fine,” Moon insisted. “There’s no full moon.”
But they separated as planned. Alone, Maddox used the full advantage of his vampire side, his feet barely touching wood as he swung between branches. Strangely enough, it was the most freedom he had in a while, with the wind rushing on his face and no one around to dictate what he needed to do.
That peaceful moment shattered quickly when he spotted a familiar sheen, thinner than the one he was used to. He stopped above it, watching as Brian’s fingers shook from the effort of maintaining it.
“One group slam and that’s going to break,” Maddox warned.
“Don’t you think I know that?”
“And what if it was them who watched you attempt the final ritual and see right through your lies?”
“They won’t get to me because I will be dead,” Brian deadpanned. “Unless you help me.”
There was enough plea in the man’s tone to soothe Maddox’s anger. He sighed.
“Boost yourself up. I will catch you.”
“I can’t. I’m still recharging.”
“Right. Then open a hole.”
He jumped the moment one appeared and waited for it to be sealed. Brian gaped at him incredulously.
“Now what?”
“Now I boost you up.”
“That’s suicide.” When Maddox didn’t say a word, Brian adamantly shook his head. “No.”
“Yes.”
“The moment I climb, our protection will be gone.”
“I will hold them off and jump after you.”
“But—”
“Will you trust me for once in your life? Even though I’m not one of you?”
The man still looked at him like he had gone crazy. But Brian eventually relented and shook his head.
“For the record, I don’t care what you and Moon are. All I care about is that Ruby is safe.”
Something pinched Maddox’s heart, but he ignored it. Wordlessly, he crouched, angling his body toward the tree and waiting for the man to climb. When Brian was in place, every muscle in his body tensed.
“On three.”
He boosted as high as he could, then jumped into action once the barrier broke and the first creature charged at him. He managed to avoid the attack, but another creature blocked the closest tree. He backtracked, then whirled when he sensed a third creature.
