The attack came three days later, just as we were beginning to think we might have more time to prepare.
I was in the middle of a particularly delicate healing session with a young dragon who'd been injured in a territorial dispute when every alarm system in the Sanctuary went off simultaneously. The network connections blazed with urgent warnings from our scouts positioned around the perimeter, and Stella's terrified scream cut through my consciousness like a blade.
*Mama! The scary blonde lady took me! She has magic ropes and she's flying and I can't get loose and—*
The connection cut off abruptly, leaving behind a silence that felt like death itself.
"Stella!" I screamed aloud, my healing patient forgotten as I leaped to my feet and reached desperately through every bond I maintaine
