Page 17 of Autumn L.A.W

“He saw your spirit Lion,” Sahara said, sounding almost accusatory.

“I know. Isn’t that awesome?”

“I wouldn’t call it that. Mundanes aren’t supposed to see them unless you’re in mortal danger.”

Lioness shrugged. “But I wasn’t, and he seems so nice. I don’t believe that’s why my lion showed himself.”

“Just the same… I’d keep my guard up.”

“Fortunately, I’m not you.”

Sahara rolled her eyes. “You sure aren’t.”

The moment they reached the tree line, Sahara felt it. A cold, deep pinch hooking into her center like invisible claws.

She froze, breath caught. “Lioness⁠—”

Desert Fox hissed, fur bristling. Spirit Lion roared, shaking branches. Lioness whipped around just in time to see Sahara jerk forward, dragged inches closer to the obelisk site as if yanked by something unseen.

“Oh, hell no!” Lioness grabbed her arm, planting her feet. Both of them were dragged forward.

The air shimmered. A veil peeled back. Then Ezra appeared.

Not walking in from anywhere. One moment: nothing. The next moment: Ezra.

His eyes glowed like molten silver. “Don’t move!”

Lioness dragged Sahara back. Desert Fox scrambled, snarling.

Ezra thrust out his hand. A golden shockwave burst from his palm, slamming into the invisible force. The world rippled. A silent shriek tore through the ground.

Lioness hit the ground first. Sahara collapsed onto Lioness, shaking.

Ezra lowered his hand slowly, chest heaving.

Lioness glared. “You followed us!”

Ezra didn’t flinch. “I told you, if it flared, I’d feel it.”

“It tried to take me,” Sahara whispered, voice thready.

Ezra crouched beside her, expression soft and fierce all at once. “But it won’t. Not while I’m here.”

Spirit Lion growled protectively. Desert Fox pressed against Sahara, as if adding their vows of safety.

Ezra stared toward the obelisk. A hairline fracture near the top had formed since the last time they’d seen it.

Lioness swallowed. “Ezra, what is that thing?”

“Something ancient,” he said quietly. “And something that has not finished with her.” He nodded toward Sahara.

“Super,” Sahara said, sarcastically.

CHAPTER 5

The magical backlash rippled across Manhattan like someone dropped a stone into a pond made of ley lines. Anyone sensitive enough felt it. Anyone magically sensible went running.

Rayna sprinted down the last stretch of Park Avenue so fast she nearly outran Joell, who was normally the faster one. They turned the corner into Central Park and froze at the same moment.