I carefully picked it up, but it didn’t burn me. Not anymore.

I didn’t have the words for a spell. Didn’t have the rhymes. I couldn’t think. But I needed to break that circle. And it had to be done before the demon rose.

“Break the circle.” I paused, and held the crystal above my head. The wolves started running at the circle, each one flew back with a whimper. “Break the circle.” I pictured the circle breaking apart, but nothing happened. The priests didn’t move. The wolves weren’t giving up. Some were swatting at it with their sharp claws. Some running against it. Their golden auras clashed against the dark, shimmering barrier, but it wouldn’t budge. “Break! Break! Break!”

My voice burned from screaming. My chest heaved as I pushed magic and will toward the circle, but nothing was working. I was failing.

Lucas nudged my side. “What do I do? This isn’t working,” I said as I ran my fingers through his hair.

His muzzle nudged me. Run. Break. Now.

I looked down at his dark face. Apparently his wolf didn’t speak in full sentences. “You ran at it and nothing happened except getting knocked on your behind.” I waved my hand at the wolves. “Look at them. They’re all trying.”

He nudged me forward.

“Fine.” It was better than nothing.

I took a step toward the brujos and the crystal grew brighter. Another step. Brighter. Another. Same thing.

Okay. Lucas knew something I didn’t.

I started running. Full out. When I hit circle, I passed right through it, and stopped in the center. I’d gotten through, but they still held their circle.

Lucas’ panic hit me, but I blocked it out. The wolves howled and started rushing the barrier, but none got through.

It was just me stuck in here. Surrounded by the brujos and whatever they were trying to conjure.

I blinked as I tried to catch up with what was going on. I wanted to run back outside, but if I didn’t stop the brujos, then who would?

Their magic passed over me in a wave of energy that sent me reeling. I knocked into something on my way to the ground.

The men stood around me. Their arms stretched above their heads, hands touching as they chanted. Their eyes glowing red as they stared down at me, half-tranced.

Something bristly scratched my side and I screamed.

I wasn’t alone in the center anymore. I was too late. They’d raised a demon.

I crab-crawled back until I hit the legs of one of the mages. I didn’t dare look at the thing. Its energy alone made my skin crawl and the thick scent of sulfur made bile rise in my throat.