Doran poured every ounce of his young strength into shoving his mother's wooden wheelchair deep into the thick brush along the edge of the border forest. The wooden wheels creaked softly against exposed tree roots, making Lyra hold her breath. Lilia huddled beside her mother in sheer terror, her small hands clutching tightly to Lyra's worn dress.
Lilia looked up toward the sky. Through gaps in the canopy, a cluster of massive black shadows cut straight through the light clouds.
"Doran, look up. There are big, armored birds," Lilia stuttered, her voice shaking uncontrollably.
Lyra froze. Though sightless, her ears and dragon-mana perception picked up the distinct heavy thrum of leather wings and the hot, raspy breath she knew all too well. A wave of bone-chilling intent rolled off the fi
