We are still standing at the border when it happens, the three of us close enough that I can feel both of them through the bond, that constant low awareness that has become my baseline, and the forest around us has not quite settled yet from Lucian’s retreat, like the land itself is holding tension in reserve and waiting to see what happens next.
I am just opening my mouth to say something, anything, because silence feels dangerous right now and my thoughts are already spiralling in directions I do not like, when the mind link slams into us all at once.
Not one voice.
Several.
Overlapping.
Urgent.
Panicked.
East is under attack. South too. West perimeter breached.
The words hit like a physical blow, and my heart stutters before it starts racing, adrenaline flooding my system so fas
