This time her attack found Mabry unprepared, and the glaive met skin.

Yet no blood flowed, and Mabry did not seem hurt. Mabry touched her side where the glaive had touched her, and silent prayed her thanks that the enchantment on her necklace had held. It was a three year old spell that had never been put to use, because the one time before now that she would have needed it, she had foolishly not been wearing the triple moon pendant--Ashlyn had taken to pulling it, and she'd stopped wearing it for a number of months until her recent weakness had left her needing every defense available to her.

Mabry shook her head at Medrau and smiled mysteriously. "No magic of mine, impling. My magic is to heal . . . and occasionally to buy myself time."