#Chapter 77: Weakened

Rowena I watched in horror as Eric began to fall. “Eric!” His name tore itself from my throat as a ragged scream, my fingers digging gouges into the side of the car. He couldn’t fall here, not like this. I wouldn’t let it happen. Despite Emma’s protests, I shot to my feet, prepared to leap over the car… only for a shrill whistle to cut through the chaos, freezing me in place. The sound seemed to come from somewhere off in the woods, although I couldn’t quite place the direction. Almost as soon as the onslaught had begun, it ended—the warriors’ movements stuttering to an abrupt halt as their unfocused eyes snapped toward the source. Then, without any hesitation, they turned and bolted. They disappeared into the trees, and then they were just… gone. For a split second, a stunned silence fell over the parking lot. But I didn’t linger long enough to even collect my bearings. With my heart lodged firmly in my throat, I shoved away from the car and sprinted toward Eri