The gunfire made my ears ring and put me in an immediate state of shock. It didn’t happen slowly like it did in the movies. It happened fast—so fast that I barely had time to react.

Silas stumbled back and gripped his shoulder before losing his balance at the cliff's edge.

“No!” I screamed and ran forward, but I couldn’t catch him on time. . . at least not with my hands. My hands shot out in front of me, and two bright flashes of white lit up the area. Magic. ...