Alex watched Draken, studying him from the safety of their magic shield, well aware of the fact that the demon didn’t consider him a threat. That knowledge was the only hope they had when it boiled right down to it because it meant he only saw Alex as the only experienced magic user in this mix, not both of them. It was clear the level one demon wasn’t aware that Alex and Susan’s magic had bonded, allowing them to combine forces when using it, and Alex intended to use that to their advantage. As the demon spoke, his words dismissive and lurid, Alex frowned and began to gather his magic about him, preparing to strike. Squeezing Susan’s hand, he let his magic pull on hers, flicking a glance and thought towards her so she’d know what he was doing. Her magic answered his call immediately and together their power began to build. “I’ll say it one last time, Draken. Leave us now and there doesn’t need to be any bloodshed.” Draken turned his deep black gaze to Alex for the first time then and grinned, his sharp teeth a reminder of the abomination that he was. “You amuse me, little man. I will enjoy crushing you. But not until I hurt you just enough to keep you alive, so you can watch me fuck your little play toy repeatedly and here her anguished screams of pain and pleasure.” The words were all it took for Alex and with a cry, he raised his hand and unleashed the bolt of lightning he’d called. It streaked across the clearing, as bright as the sun, and smashed into, and through, Draken’s shields, hitting him squarely in the chest. He was lifted off his feet immediately and flung deep into the woods. Alex knew the blow hadn’t killed him, would have felt the release of his magic if it had, but it had injured him enough to weaken the bubble of magic around them. Drawing on Susan again, he pushed against the magic barrier sounding them, feeling it give a little. With a grimace, he slammed magic into it, breaking a wide enough hole in it to let them out. “Let’s get out of here” he said to her, his voice grim. “He’s down, but not out.” With that, they were gone, reappearing in their house shortly thereafter.