Just then we saw Mara—Rain's beta, her right hand, her closest shield.
She was walking like a lifeless doll straight into the arms of one of those monsters.
"No! Mara! Mara!" Rain screamed, her voice cracking, "Snap out of it! Stop!"
But she didn't stop. She didn't even blink. Her feet dragged forward, body limp, eyes empty. And that creature—one of those cursed Nocturnis—spread its arms wide, lips parting as if to welcome her like a lover.
Then it happened.
The Nocturnis tore her throat open.
Blood sprayed into the night like rain on fire. Mara's body hit the dirt with a sickening thud.
Rain gasped like she was drowning, her hands clutching her chest. "She's my friend—my sister—my beta!" Tears streamed down her face in wild rivers.
"Rain, get up!" I shouted, grabbing her hand, yanking her. "We need to run! Now!"
But Rain ripped her hand free and dropped to her knees. Her cries were sharp, broken, filled with pain. "They killed her… they killed my teacher, my sister—"
