Book Eight: Chapter 50

“Not this time,” said Sofia, using her staff. The black clouds evaporated, revealing the wraith as it flew through the air at the Head Librarian. She brought her staff up just in time to block a bladed assault, then cried out when it grabbed her ankle and knocked her to the ground. Her eye flashed with magic and she let out a scream as the wraith reached for her throat with brutal claws.

When she screamed, it felt final, somehow, the sound piercing Mike to his very core with dread. WIthout thinking, he leapt forward and sank his fist into the creature’s back, his arm going numb to the shoulder. The wraith spun around, ready to tear him apart, then went still as Mike’s magic locked down around it, binding it in place. His fingers sought out the spiritual threads that bound the thing together. The wraith’s mass swirled in place, and glowing eyes now regarded him with cold hatred.

“Enough,” Mike growled. Using his magic, he grabbed onto the closest thing to a soul that the