The light had just brushed the tops of the trees when Ezra emerged out of the Weeping Hollows. The twins hugged each arm, their tiny hands grasping around his fingers. Anabelle trailed behind, her face still twisted with the recollection of combat. The accursed forest exhaled in their wake, its mist trembling as if it had breathed in hold for centuries.

For an instant, the peace seemed to come back.

And then the air cracked.

There exploded a flash of black energy in the air like the ripple ...