Bastian's cry moves everything into slow motion. I know his son or mate are gone, possibly both. I get just a touch of Roxy's magic so I know she's alive. This doesn't ease my fear. I'm almost at the door where the children were kept when Bastian walks into the hall with blood covering his chest. I glance into the room and see Ashrac's body.

Rage fills me. Bastian reaches the room at the end of the long corridor first with me at his heels. I take in everything at ...