The flames washed over Mei.

  I didn’t want to, but I peeked just in time to watch her get hit. The fire knocked her back, burning her bindings and sending her rolling down the street. A tear slid out of my cracked eyelids as I watched her tumble. I hadn’t known her for very long, but it felt like she had been around for my entire life. It was like losing my mother all over again.

  Johnnie pulled out my sword. Electricity gathered around the blade as he charged the protective circle.

  Michael tugged on my shoulder. I watched him wipe a tear off of his cheek. “We have to go.” When I didn’t move, his voice became more urgent: “Run!”

  I found my feet under me and took off down the street. Johnnie had destroyed one of the totems and was working his way through Mouse’s men.

  The shaman was moving away from the furious mage, content to let his henchmen take the brunt of the rage.

  As we passed the body, I gave it a short glance. I didn’t know what she had done to land in this place with the rest of the criminals, but she had been nice to me. Someone like that didn’t deserve to die the way she had.

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  I started to turn away, but it looked like her arm moved. I stopped and stared, but nothing happened.

  “Come on,” Michael urged, “it’s not safe here.”

  “She moved.” It was all I could say. All I could hope.

  “Kat…” Michael tried to pull me down the road.

  I pulled away and ran to her. Her clothes were hot, but there weren’t any burn marks on them. Her arms and face were blistered, but she was breathing.

  “She’s alive!” I screamed.

  Michael ran over and kneeled down next to us. He turned towards the fight. Johnnie was hacking away at one of the last henchmen.

  “Johnnie!” Michael yelled, “Get over here!”

  Johnnie paused and looked over his shoulder. When he realized why we were screaming, he turned back to Mouse. Electricity shot off of the blade and raced towards the shaman.

  Before connecting, Mouse vanished. Without a target, the electricity dissipated in the empty air.

  Johnnie ran back through the bodies and kneeled down next to us. Michael was pouring a potion down Mei’s throat. It wouldn’t heal her instantly, but it would speed up the healing.

  “What happened to Mouse?” I asked.

  “Teleporting spell.” Johnnie wheezed. “He’ll be back with more men.”

  Michael picked up Mei, “Let’s get out of here before that happens.”

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