"Stay behind me," Gideon ordered, his voice tense as he positioned himself between me and the approaching wizards.
I could feel the lingering effects of whatever drug they'd given me, my limbs heavy and my magic faint within my veins. But seeing my brother—injured and already weakened—standing as my shield sparked something deep inside me.
"No," I said, trying to move alongside him. "I won't let you face them alone."
The leader of this new group of wizards smiled coldly. "The hybrid princess and her protector. How touching." His fingers began tracing intricate patterns in the air, leaving trails of sickly green light. "Your brother can't save you now, Elara Vance. Your very existence threatens the prophecy."
Gideon's arms trembled slightly as he maintained his defensive stance. "You'll have to kill me first."
"That can be arranged," the wizard replied casually.