My stamina was draining fast. My muscles burned, and my knuckles were bruised.
I ducked under a shamshir, grabbed a Wraith by its tattered collar, and shoved it into the path of another attacker. I pulled the trigger of the Reaver, blowing a hole through both of them, but three more instantly took their place.
The horde was pushing me back. I was only two steps away from where Elisha was standing.
Damn it. It didn't work.
I gritted my teeth. I had pushed the gamble too far. I couldn't wait any longer. I dropped my left hand to my ammo pouch, my fingers brushing against the cold, smooth casing of a highly explosive gem round. I was going to have to end this myself.
Just as my fingers closed around the shell—
THWACK.
A sharp, violent snapping sound echoed directly behind my ear.
A streak of brilliant crimson light tore past my shoulder so fast I felt the heat of the mana burn the edge of my coat.
