Dispells a barrier

Grimalkin stepped forward, preparing to attack, but then she halted and stretched out her right hand, as if encountering some invisible obstruction. She turned back to face us, clearly annoyed. “There is a defensive barrier,” she whispered.

Alice came alongside her and stretched out both hands. “It’s strong—very strong,” she said. “Ain’t going to stop us, but it’ll take time.” She began to chant under her breath
...
At that moment Alice finally broke through the barrier holding us back, and Grimalkin ran forward. The cloak that hid us from the witches’ sight gave way at the same instant, and the two guards threw themselves between Grimalkin and their sisters.


B10 C23