Toria exited the car and darted across the street. As she climbed the steps to Lyra’s apartment, she gathered ambient energy from the air and strengthened her magical shields to full combat strength. She’d miss the excess magic that permeated this world when back in her own time.
Toria paused outside Lyra’s door. Anchored energy in the tips of her fingers until they tingled. And whispered a prayer for forgiveness to whatever gods or spirits might be listening.
She knocked.
No baby cries rang through the apartment, which eased part of her fear. He was much too young to remember this, but if KJ slept through his own kidnapping, all the better. Steps echoed through the front room, and their owner yanked the door open.
Lyra wore a loose housedress, but the scarf still bound her hair. She’d
