The sound of voices jarred Aaron awake, and his hand immediately flew to his head. The last thing he remembered was running headlong into the portal wall, trying to break free. He’d seen something come flying in and hoped that was his chance to get out, but for some reason, whatever Cadence had done hadn’t worked. So he’d knocked himself out trying to reach her.

That didn’t explain the voices, though. He sat up too fast, made himself dizzy, and leaned back on one elbow. The ...