30
Hard Pressed
Melanie swallowed hard, trying to press down the sudden terror that surged within her. It was one thing to cast spells at the Out-Dweller from afar. But now it was coming, and only she and Loran stood before it.
She wiped a sudden sweat from her brow and was not surprised that her hand trembled as she did so. She hated to admit it, but the presence of Julian and Raedrick, and the steel of their blades, useless as it was against this foe, had offered her some comfort. Now, without them...
The darkness bulged inward like a blister, and right then a scream echoed from somewhere to Melanie's right. A man's scream, full of pain and fear. It only took a second for her to recognize Julian's voice.
The fear swelled within her, but so also did anger. Her dear friend was being t
