But before the twisted magic could reach him, Ward uttered a single word in the primal tongue of old—and the black magic disintegrated before it could so much as touch Ward, fizzling out into harmless sparks that died quickly in the night air.
The witch who spoke screamed in anger as she threw spell after spell at Ward, but none penetrated his shield. Finally, she turned and ran, using magic to obscure her retreat.
Ward knew these woods like the back of his hand. With a powerful leap propelled by his muscular legs, his wings unfurled, and he caught up with her easily—his powerful hands clamping down on the woman’s shoulder.
The witch struggled under Ward’s grip, her cloak tearing slightly as she tried to twist away. “Release me!”
“I don’t think so. What was it you planned to do here?” Ward asked, shaking the witch.
“The lay lines cross here! This is the most powerful place, so we had to do it here! Besides, that creature is an abomination. You know that. You interrupt at your own peril!”
“Again, my land, upon which you are trespassing and using black magic,” Ward said as he dragged the witch back to the circle. “You kidnapped that woman, regardless of whether or not she is a hunter—yes, I can smell her—and planned to do… what? You are the abomination, and I will not allow this.”
