The kneeling shadow wolves stayed frozen in place, and for one suspended heartbeat, the entire ruined courtyard held its breath along with them.
Then chaos found its voice again.
"Kill them!" A Council Hunter's shout cut through the silence, silver-tipped arrows already nocked. "All of them, before they turn on us the moment her control slips!"
"Wait—" Serena spun toward the archers, panic sharpening her voice. "They're not attacking anyone. Look at them. They're not a threat!"
"They're an army she's commanding," another Hunter snarled, arrow still drawn. "That's exactly the threat the Council warned us about."
---
"Stand down," Serena said, turning back to the kneeling creatures, though she had no idea if they'd actually obey a command she wasn't even certain she'd meant to give. "P
