Every warrior stood ready, muscles coiled, eyes locked on the tree line. Evan was a wall of Alpha energy at the front, Christa at his flank, magic crackling faintly around her hands.

Jadon stepped forward, her senses stretched thin like a net cast across the woods.

A flicker of hostile intent. A presence brushing the edge of her awareness like a claw. Jadon yell’s. “Left flank there twenty yards out!”

Evan didn’t question her. “Left flank, tighten formation!” The warriors shifted ...