The Shrieker opened its mouth.
No sound came out. A ripple distorted the air instead. The visible wave shot directly at Luthra.
[Luthra, watch out!]
Lilith's voice panicked in his mind, but the wave already hit him.
His world dissolved into pure agony. Every molecule in his body vibrated apart. His vision went white, his thoughts shattered, his control slipped.
The door he had cracked open in his soul was kicked down from the other side.
The mad, giggling whisper he had heard before roared now.
'Finally! A real fight! Let's play!'
His head snapped up. His eyes blazed with manic, predatory light. An unnatural grin split his face.
Rebecca watched from her perch on the rock. Cold dread washed over her.
'That's not Luthra.'
Darkness exploded outward from him. The tangible aura of negative energy made the trees recoil. The other Shriekers hiding in the gloom froze. Their predator instincts screamed that the thing under the tree was no longer prey. It was something far worse.
