n in the orb haunted her, but it also fueled her determination to keep going. She could

d direct her power. Samantha learned to create shields of energy, to manipulate light and shadow, and to sense the presence of other

t. There was a quiet intensity to him that Samantha found comforting. He had been thro

the days passed. Samantha could see it in the way Preston's eyes darted to the windows, in the way Ev

a small burst of energy, when she felt it-a sudden, sharp jolt of cold fear that shot through her chest

ut, panic rising in her

pping her arm as he helped her to her feet. "Evelyn

ay, her expression grim. "Ge

hem. Evelyn was already moving, drawing symbols in the air with swift, practiced motions. The symbols g

, her voice tight with urgency. "They'll b

er breath. The air inside the cabin felt thick, charged with the weight of impending danger. She c

d, her voice trembling despite

for doubt. "But remember, Samantha-control. You've

air. The walls seemed to shudder as if the very foundation of the cabin was under

ing forward with his fists clenched, his o

ight that filled the room with a warm, protective glow. The light pushed back the en

r faces obscured by darkness. Their eyes glowed a sickly yellow, and they moved with a

ed, forming a barrier between them and the Watchers. "

ils of energy shot out toward the barrier, testing its strength. The air hummed with powe

he pressure. The Watchers surged forward, their energy lashing out in all directio

now!" Eve

control. She felt it surge up from her core, a blazing light that pushed back against the darkness. She rai

ut it didn't fall. Instead, it turned its glowing eyes toward Sa

lyn urged. "

y at the Watcher. This time, the impact was stronger, and the Watcher

ds of battle. Preston joined the fray, his own powers manifesting as waves of force that knocked the Watchers off balance. B

light snaking through the air, binding and restraining the Watchers. But despite her ski

r!" Preston shouted, dodging a blast of

rs were too many, too strong. They nee

t, desperation creeping into

on the Watchers, her brow furrowed in concentration. The

n said, her voice low and urgent. "It's

l?" Samantha asked

ion, away from our world," Evelyn explained. "But it requires a lot of

g that much power, especially after everything she had been

her voice steady despite th

ous. "Stand with me. Focus your en

e closing in, their dark forms growing larger, more menacing. But Samantha pushed the fe

her eyes and reached out with her senses, feeling the energy of the spell as it began to take shape

the power surging through her, filling every fiber of her being. The sensation was overwhe

und them seemed to shimmer, as if reality itself was bending under the strain. Samantha could f

orting as they were pulled into the pocket dimension. They fought against it, their dark energy lashing out in all

the Watchers was pulled through. The tear sealed itself

ody felt like it was on fire, the exhaustion overwhelming. She co

on her shoulder. "You did well, Samant

eak. Preston was at her other side, his

ked, looking to Eve

But this was just the beginning. The Watchers will regroup.

f fear tighten in her