The wall of energy hit us only for an instant and I knew we were done. The creature was stronger than we were, far stronger. Maybe if my demon was at full power we could have stood against it, but she barely had enough essence left to keep me alive.

Magic crackled in ropes of electric blue light, driving between us and the creature. I staggered backward, only saved a fall on my ass by Quaid's firm grip on my hand. I wanted to sob in relief. I knew the touch of that ...