Aarmau: Remember Me, Remember Us, Just Remember

Chapter 175

Time seems to slow as Aph watches Ivan waves toward their group and his minions close in. Garroth, Zane, Gene, Aaron, Travis, Laurence, Eric, Rowan, and Katelyn each move to intercept one or more of his followers while Aph gathers the rest of their friends and moves them over to Hyria.

She knows they would all fight to defend each other but they would only be a distraction if used as a hostage. Even Aph wants to join in but the whole point of this was to hide her power until the right moment came along and she just doesn't feel it yet.

She turns to Hyria, "Can you and Lucinda create a barrier to keep them out?"

Hyria smiles, "Come child, that's a mere parlor trick."

Aph listens as Hyria and Lucinda begin to chant and feels the barrier magic form around them. She suddenly hears Emmaline's voice join in and the power grows stronger.

The temptation to help is overwhelming and it takes everything she has to ignore it. She turns to watch the chaos around her and is relieved to see that the guys are holding their own and that several of Ivan's minions are already down.

A shift in the crowd catches her eye and she watches Ivan move past the fighting and head toward her. He slowly shakes his head and smiles at her. "Little girl, while the barrier magic is powerful it won't keep me out, not for long. I can't quite put my finger on it but there's something about you but sadly, that will have to wait for now. You're the favorite of this little band. All I need is you and I have no doubt the person I'm looking for will come to your rescue."

Aph should feel terrified right now but she doesn't. She tilts her head to the side and smirks, "Evan, if this whole thing was normal, you might be right Ivan but it's not, normal that is. If you know what's good for you and you cherish the gift you've been given you will turn around and leave. Oh, and take your trash with you."

Ivan laughs loud, forms a fireball in his hand, and hurtles it toward her. Aph sees Aaron spin toward her but she very subtly shakes her head no at him.

She can almost hear him growl as the fireball collides with the barrier and dissipates. Several more fly from his hand repeating the same pattern and she can hear Emmaline gasp in response to the magical feedback. She just has to wait for him to get a little closer.

Suddenly she hears Carter yell out from behind her, rush through the barrier and head for Ivan. Her heart skips as she watches Ivan change magics and prepares to send a shot of pure energy at him. If he lives through this she's going to kill him.

She was hoping for more time but she'll take what's been given to her. She glances at Lucinda and sighs, "Be ready."

Lucinda nods as Aph lets her magic flow, runs through the barrier, and straight for Ivan. Her heart nearly stops as she watches the bolt of energy as it races toward Carter. 

Crossing in front of Carter, she raises her arm to shift its path but he had a headstart and it's not enough. She feels it pass through her right shoulder, hears Carter cry out as it grazes him, and everyone behind her scream as it collides with the barrier.

The pain should be enough to stop her in her tracks but the werewolf in her barely feels it. While she might hardly feel it now the pain will eventually set in and the clock is ticking.

She can smell the blood as it flows from the wound but there's no time to do anything about it. As the last minion falls she sees everyone turn toward her and hears Aaron roar with anger.