Damn it, one of the bakudou snapped. Something like this why they'd used multiple ones, but having any of them break was hardly a positive sign.

Unconsciously, he stepped between Frau and Hinamori. It was instinct. Anything that wanted to hurt her had to go through him first. There was nothing to say. He just kept concentrating on that cloud of smoke, eyes narrowing when he heard that laughter again.

Nothing aloud, but his primary thought was, Fight it off, you damned idiot. I don't want to have to kill you in front of her. She's been through enough.