Manlius returned a few moments later with Killan and several witches and fae. He glanced at Alexander before stepping in front of him, blocking the chasm from view.
“How are you holding up?” he asked as he raised his arms, and the others did the same.
“Like I’m slowly dying,” Alexander said with a faint smile.
“You’re fucking crazy,” Manlius said, shaking his head, though admiration shone clearly in his eyes.
“Close the fucking thing before they break through,” Alexander said, dragging in a shaky breath.
“Okay,” Manlius said, turning back toward the chasm.
Beyond them, the demons moved faster, slaughtering and smearing blood across the widening tear.
“Whatever comes out of the chasm, kill it!” Killan shouted, his voice echoing across the field.
Roars erupted around them as everyone prepared for battle. Werewolves moved to the front, snarling and pawing at the ground, muscles tense and ready.
Alexander felt a wet nose nudge his free hand. He looked down and found a black wolf staring up at him.
He would recognize Boaz’s wolf anywhere.
“Be safe out there,” he said, sinking his fingers into the wolf’s fur before turning back to the chasm.
They all held their breath as Manlius, the witches, and the fae began to chant. The sound of their voices rolled through the field and down Alexander’s spine, making him shiver.
He took a deep breath as his heart began to race and his knees weakened.
“Alexander! Alexander! Where are you?” a strained voice called out.
Blade.
Alexander looked up and saw Blade running across the field, searching frantically.
“Blade?” he called, moving toward the vampire. Blade looked disheveled, his hair a mess as though he’d been pulling at it for hours.
“What happened to you?” Alexander asked, realizing he hadn’t seen him since the night before.
“He’s coming… he’s coming,” Blade said, his eyes wide.
“Who’s coming?” Alexander asked, gripping his shoulder.
“Drago. He’s coming.”
“How do you know that?” Alexander asked.
“I fed on you and Boaz’s sexual energy. I induced another vision,” he said.
“You did what?”
“I’m sorry. I know it was wrong. I just…” Tears filled his eyes. “I wanted to save them. You have to help them.”
Alexander stared at Blade, then lifted his gaze as he felt the weight of the entire field shift. People were watching them.
Damn. He’d forgotten they weren’t alone.
And judging by their expressions, they had heard everything.
The field buzzed as the news spread like wildfire.