A green flash pulsed from the hourglass, sending a ripple of light into the distance. The spell was only visible to the one on watch and the one who was next, but even if the beasts couldn’t see the light, for one terrifying moment, Zen saw them.
And they were all eyes and rows upon rows of teeth.
“My turn?” Khel said with a groggy yawn.
Zen whirled toward him, only to realize that in the moment he blinked, the creatures were gone, no advancing shadows, nothing but the hills and far-off trees.
“Is everything all right?” Khel asked, as he got up to gather his sword and shield.
“I…” Zen couldn’t speak with his heart in his throat, but eventually, he had to nod. “I think the night was playing tricks on me.”
Or so he hoped.
* * * *
“That’s it, my love. Come.”
Zen opened his eyes to a
