Alex blended his green energy into Ash's assault.
Sweat beaded on my forehead and ran down my back.
"You've got this," Doc whispered.
I drew on my own reserves and the magic Doc had taken from Nikolai through his blood and strengthened the shield before it could waver.
My arms trembled. Doc held me.
The gun fired, and a man screamed, but I could sense that Allan was okay. The bullet impacted my shield, and the only thing that let me keep it up against that much concentrated force was Doc's support. He was starting to run out of borrowed magic, though, and we were going to need Nikolai soon.
Fortunately, the mage stepped into the clearing behind Ash and Alex.
The demon continued to concentrate on the shield, but Alex had to stop and throw up his own shield as Nikolai pelted him with blue energy. I wasn't sure what spell Nikolai cast, but the shield Alex used shattered, and Nikolai hit him again, and Alex crumpled to the ground.
Nikolai studied Ash.
Ash ignored the mage for a moment, before speaking in Nikolai's dialect of Russian. "I was merely instructed to take out the shield. However, it would be unwise for anyone to observe that loophole. I will not defend myself unless I'm truly in danger."
"What'd he say?" Sam looked over at us.
I shrugged, though I understood perfectly well.
Nikolai brought his hand back and formed a glowing blue spear. He launched it at the demon.
Ash dodged, dropping his attack on the shield long enough to put up a token resistance to Nikolai's attacks.
He blocked the second, but the third struck home, and the demon collapsed to the ground.
Allan returned, eyes wide, but otherwise unharmed.
"The others are dead or unconscious," Nikolai informed us. He kicked Alex. "What should we do with him?"
"How long will he be out?" Doc asked.
I dropped the shield, sagging in relief. Doc pulled me to my feet and held me.
Ed and Sam also stood.
"A few hours."
"That's enough time to find their fae traps and get out of here."
"You truly want to leave him alive?" Nikolai looked shocked.
"I'm not certain killing him would solve anything," Doc replied.
"It would send message." Nikolai shrugged. "Very well."
"Wait, you'd just kill him?" Sam gasped.
"This is war. They started it, unless I'm mistaken. Always kill the enemy mages, or just fight them again. Unless they surrender."
She stared at him, horrified.
I was too tired to judge him, especially since I had no way of knowing what it was like to grow up like he had. I was just grateful he was here.
"Well done." Nikolai came over to me and put an arm around me, though he didn't try to take me from Doc. I hugged him back.
"Let's get these fae traps and get out of here then," Ed suggested.
Allan hung back, and I pulled away from Doc. I didn't need our pack bond to know something bothered him.
"What's up?" I put my arm around him and held him against me while we trailed behind the others. Still alert for danger, but thinking we were probably out of it for now.
He remained silent for a moment before his words came out in a rush. "I, uh, killed that guy who was shooting at us. Just snapped his neck. It was so easy. I was so worried about protecting the rest of you. I've never killed anyone before." He trembled.
Wrapping my arms around Allan, I let him feel my gratitude that he was there to protect us and my love for him.
Allan sighed, breathing in my scent, distracting himself from what he had done. "Mmmm, you smell like all of us."
"You did good, Allan. You did what you had to. They were going to kill all of you. Nik can probably take care of the bodies." I kissed him gently, then pulled on his hand, keeping it in mine when we found the others gathered around several iron pots. They were really simple, just round pots that you might make soup in. Inside lay quite a few of the tiny fae.
"Are they dead?" I clutched Allan's hand.
"Maybe," Nikolai replied sadly. He knelt by the traps, and the whole area glowed blue for a moment. I watched closely, trying to absorb what he did.
"There are no additional spells beyond the ones to attract and capture the fae." Holding his hand over the first of the traps, he whispered softly before lifting his hand slowly. The fae were drawn out on a bed of blue magic. He set them gently on the ground before moving to the next pot and repeating the procedure.
Once he was finished, he glared at the pots. "These, I will destroy."
He didn't wait for anyone's objection, just picked them up, tossed them into the air, and blasted them with magic.
They disintegrated, and he hit the air with a light breeze, blowing the metal contaminants away from the fae portal.
Once he finished, the forest lit up with sparkles as the other tiny fae descended on their brethren and carried them away.
A couple remained.
Nikolai held out his hand, palm up, as if used to dealing with fae.
The tiny creature landed on his palm, bowed their thanks, and then took to the air again.
Once we were alone, Nikolai headed back to the trail, and we followed.
"Can you do something about the bodies?" I asked.
"Yes." He knew what I referred to and headed off to handle the deceased mages. Ed went with him. The rest of us trudged back down the path. Even Doc looked exhausted.
We said goodbye to Sam at the parking lot and climbed into Doc's pickup, waiting for Ed and Nikolai to catch up. They finally joined us.
"I still cannot tell if Sam was involved or not," Nikolai grumbled once we were headed back to Doc's place.
The shadows stretched, and it would be late by the time we got back.
"I can't tell, either, but they know about you now. That won't go over
