To Daemi, Wilt had simply disappeared. She had pushed past him to fight off the approaching guards, but as she cut through them they seemed to put up less and less resistance, almost eager to fall on her blade. It was as though they were running from something much worse. She would have been overwhelmed by sheer numbers within moments, but those guards she had let get in behind her never struck again, and soon enough there were only a few left standing in front of her, their arms shaking, their eyes wide. A shadow moved across her vision, and they too suddenly fell.
To Red Charley, the scene looked very different. Where Wilt had been, a creature of darkness had suddenly reared up, its eyes burning, its touch instant death to any who came near. Red Charley knew death was coming for him.
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