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“Do not let the shifters touch you,” shouted Esther. Large fireballs appeared in the palms of her hands. She threw them at the snake with lightning speed. They found their target, but fizzled out. She threw more and backed toward the hedges. “Boys, go inside. Bartholomew, come.” The fat Beagle ignored her and jumped for the intruder with teeth bared. The pixies zipped across the garden, yanked his floppy ears and dragged him away. The snake taunted them, turning its large head one way, then the other.
“Go get Griselda and the others,” said Tommy, to Davi. “I’m going to help Esther. Stay inside and hide.”
Davi bit his lip and looked at the snake drifting closer to Esther. “I won’t leave you.”
“Go. Now,” shouted Tommy, pushing his brother out of the garden. He planted his feet apart a
