Carina dreamed, hairy hands coming from the darkness to snatch at the lights around her. She held them back, surrounding them with her magic, with her protection and stood in front of them to deflect the searching hands. She would not allow them to be taken, would not allow- Claws plunged from the darkness, sinking into her, tearing her flesh and pulling her magic from her along with her blood.

“Carina,” a soft, loving voice called to her. “Carina, my mate, wake for ...