Derek howled in relief as he heard his mother's voice. But she wasn't alone. He thought, picking up Maya's scent, some other scent he couldn't place,and then his father.

This realization made him snap his head backward, whining a bit as he saw his father fuming in anger.

"Azeera let them go." Melvina said, leaving her former group, and stepping between her son and the apparition.

"I'm not holding your son captive, Melvina." The apparition stated, still holding on to ...