The entire space seemed to freeze the instant Adrian's words fell.
Lily's face immediately stiffened, the glimmer of hope that had just begun to surface in her eyes replaced by shock and disbelief. She hadn't even had time to take half a step back in caution when a blazing stream of orange-red fire magic came crashing down from the front, carrying an overwhelming, suffocating pressure.
Lily reacted just as quickly. She swept her arm to the side, and ice and snow instantly transformed into a massive wall, rising between them.
The sizzling sound, accompanied by a sudden cloud of steam, filled the air, turning the entire space hazy and indistinct.
"Fall back!"
