Sloan fell to her knees before the manhole and tried to pry it open with her fingers, breaking almost all of her nails. The cover did not budge, held fast by Clair's magic. Sloan staggered back, aimed her gun at the cover, and fired. The spray immediately bounced back and caught her in the chest.

She flew back, crested in air, felt the tug of gravity, and lost consciousness as her skull cracked against the pavement.

(Chapter 19)