I scooted back a little more, reaching my hand back as I watched Matt’s mouth move. He wasn’t saying the words aloud, but he didn’t need to. He just had to believe that they’d work and back it with enough magic.

I kept scooting back until my fingers brushed something metal.

Finally.

I had one shot at this. Any second he could end the spell, and I might not be fast enough to dodge it.

A wolf howled, and I felt Lucas’ anger. He’d spotted us. I could feel him through our bond but he wasn’t going to get here in time. The brujos had separated us, focusing on Lucas, for just this reason. They wanted my power. Like everyone else.

In one move I grasped the athame’s handle, sat up, and slashed its tip across Matt’s leg.

He kicked my ribs and I heard a crunch before the sickening wave of pain registered. I couldn’t breathe, but if I didn’t move, I’d be as good as dead.

I kicked his leg, and he fell on top of me. I tried to roll him off, but he weighed too much.

His eyes were red, like the other brujos were. Almost like he was in a trance, his lips kept moving. He was going to finish the spell.

I had the knife in my hand. All I had to do was stab him, and it would be over. I raised it up, and closed my eyes.

God, forgive me.

Before I moved the knife down, the weight on me was gone. Matt screamed.

I opened my eyes to see Lucas snarling at Matt. He had Matt pinned, claws out and digging into Matt’s chest.

I sat up, feeling the ache in my chest. If I wanted to say anything to Matt, now was the time. But there wasn’t anything to really say.

For a second, I almost asked Lucas not to kill him. To give him another chance. But Matt’s eyes flashed red again as his lips moved. In my heart, I knew he wouldn’t give up. Not ever. He’d follow me every day of my life, sinking deeper and deeper into evil. Putting my friends and family in danger. I’d let evil hold sway over me for too long already. “Do it.”

Death wasn’t a pretty thing.

I wanted to say that I stood there with Lucas, and I did, but I looked away. I hadn’t been in a fight until recently, and I hoped that after all of this was over—after Luciana was defeated or dead—I wouldn’t have another one ever again.