“Max!” I cry out again and shove Axel out of the way but mostly I shove him so he doesn’t see as I whip my hand in Max’s direction. I catch him before he hits the ground and carefully lower him down. He is out cold and would have badly hurt himself if I hadn't used my magic. That is how I rationalize the use of magic.

“Oh shit,” I hear Axel mutter as he sees what he did. I kneel next to Max and hear footsteps picking up the pace as they retreat away from us. Axel ...