OUTCASTS AT THE GATE—PART II
~TATE'S POV~
The barrier buzzed behind me, still vibrating with leftover magic. My throat felt like someone had tried to claw their way through it. Swallowing burned. Breathing wasn't much better. Warriors moved in a confused existence around me, calling for healers, dragging the injured into rough triage lines.
Three down had turned into seven. No bodies….thank the Goddess.…but several warriors were bleeding badly enough that the dirt clung wet to their wounds.
Mathias and Daxon reached me at the same time, both half-shifted, both heaving for breath. Blood slicked their chests and arms, drying in dark streaks. I didn't bother asking whose it was. The smell told me most of it wasn't theirs.
Mathias grabbed my face first, his hands trembling even if his vo
