The first scent of blood—Samantha's—mingled with the night air, metallic and sharp, and it was immediately swallowed by the rising surge of magical energy.
Crystals hummed with resonance, pulsing in tune with the bond threading the six of them together: Samantha, her four mates, Linda, and Nova at the heart, small yet radiant.
Through the bond, she felt every heartbeat magnified.
Marcus's control was precise, a steel lattice keeping the surging power in check.
Kai vibrated with barely restrained ferocity, ready to snap at any flicker of danger.
Callum's dragon coiled beneath his skin, wings stirring, each inhale a measured threat to the Architect lurking somewhere beyond perception.
Even Linda—human, untrained—radiated stubborn, unbreakable determination that made the magical pulse thrum faster.
