9
Max paced the length of the garden, waiting for the Nightlings to return from the Ostium. It had been hours since Snoop and Davi disappeared. They knew how to protect themselves and should’ve been back by now. Something was wrong. He had a terrible feeling Alice was telling the truth. A gentle breeze rolled through the garden, causing him to stop short. The Nightlings were back. He waited for them to appear. Instead, Esther rounded the hedges. She stood at the opening with her hands clasped in front of her and a deep sadness in her eyes.
“The Nightlings...” he started.
“Going into the Ostium took too much energy. They are here, but cannot materialize,” she said.
“What about Snoop and Davi?” he asked.
“They found the Ostium the twins entered,” said Esther. She looked away for a mom
