The dark creatures emerged from the trees like living nightmares.
They had too many teeth, too many claws, and eyes that burned with ancient hate. "Guardians' hunters," Darian whispered. "They're here for Elara."
The pack members who had just been freed from Elara's power took one look at the monsters and screamed. Some fainted. Others tried to run but tripped over their own feet. "Protect the civilians!" Kael ordered.
The triplets moved as one, making a defensive line between the creatures and their people. But they were overwhelmed twenty to one.
Above them, Elara's silver form was trying to break free from the space between worlds. The twins' light was guiding her home, but Vex was holding her back with chains of pure darkness.
"You belong to us now!" the Guardian growled. "I belong to my family," Elara shot back. She pulled harder, following her babies' innocent power. But every time she got close to breaking through, Vex's chains tightened.
