They need to buy enough time for James and Tiwa to get out of the building, and when Carl gets the chance he wraps an arm tight around the Mage's neck, holding him 'still' as he can with the struggle.

He's just inches from the line of 'fire', but he can just tell that Ben's a hell of a shot.

There's a bit of a grating pain in his elbow, some half-assed spell or attempt at freedom by the magic user hitting him in the already injured joint. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees two shadows slip out the door to freedom.

Carl locks eyes with Ben and nods.

It's all the signal the other man should need.