A new image appeared in place of Alauna—a much smaller, less perfect version of herself, a confused-looking Sadie with a shadow looming behind her.
Sadie looked ahead, confused, not sure of what to do or exactly what was going on for a moment. But then her eyes sharpened as she saw Theron up ahead.
She took a step back, not out of fear, but to spread her legs into a battle stance. Holding out a small palm, her gaze became even more focused as a billowing heat continued to pool out from Theron.
Theron's forehead was still pressed against the ground, his roars peeling across the skies as the moons continued to flicker. Everything in his heart, every emotion of sadness and rage, was spilling out.
Until it all suddenly stopped.
A haggard breath left Theron's lips, the spittle flying from the depths of his throat and dripping down his tongue being incinerated beneath the waves of heat.
And then his body began to stand.
