[Dylan]
A stunned silence swallowed the field. For a heartbeat, even the wind seemed to stop.
Declan's sword remained half-raised, his knuckles white around the hilt as he stared at the stranger with utter disbelief. I felt the same disbelief burning through me.
This man had appeared out of nowhere, and had been just in time to prevent Avira from hitting the ground hard.
"Who the hell are you?" Declan demanded, voice sharp enough to cut. He was doubtful, and he didn't hide it.
The stranger didn't flinch. His attention stayed on Avira, whose breaths were growing weaker by the second.
"No time," he said calmly. "Her wolf is slipping beyond recall. Another minute and even the Moon won't be able to pull her back." He said instead, ignoring Declan's question.
Gamma shifted beside us, unease rolling off him, but we paid him no attention–yet. His gaze darted between the stranger and the forest, as if measuring escape routes.
