It wasn't enough. He was trying but it just wasn't enough. If Casey could just get some fireballs going he could catch a few of the Nox right between the eyes and buy enough time for Wash to get out of there. But the small wreath of fire surrounding his left hand maybe was enough to roast a hot dog, not enough to save a friend.

But he'd jump in to burn those things with it if Bones would just put him down-

Suddenly Bones's grip failed. The sensation went from floating to falling with no warning and Casey couldn't correct his footing. He skidded backwards on his heel for a single moment, tried to run backwards a few paces and then stumbled. He landed backwards on top of Bones and Greg, disoriented enough to lose his flame.

Not quite quick enough to get it back before a Nox was on top of him. His hands darted out to grab the thing's hooked jaws before it could bite his head off, but the heat in his hands wasn't rebuilding fast enough and the Nox was just too strong for Casey to do anything but slow it. There were more almost on top of them.

He wasn't afraid, he kept telling himself. His friends needed help. Being afraid would just make getting the fire back that much harder. He wasn't afraid. His fire wasn't coming back and dammit he wasn't afraid!