Arlo struggled to his feet, but I could see the strain on him. The shadows were adapting to his energy now, testing the bond we’d formed.
Dennis shouted from the other side of the room. “Sage! Arlo! Use the bond actively! Don’t just let it protect you!”
I understood immediately. He was right. We couldn’t just react; we had to push. We had to fight with the bond.
“Arlo!” I shouted. “Focus! Feel us! Let us flow through you!”
He hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Silver light flared brighter than before, and I felt it spreading through his body like fire. I matched it with my own energy, pouring in everything I had, every heartbeat, every thought.
Asher joined in, his gray energy weaving with ours. Gage’s gold wrapped around us like armor. Together, we became a living force, the bond i
