The Awakening
The moment the spell broke, Hector and Dana both started coughing violently.
Alina gasped sharply, sucking in a long breath as if she had just been pulled from drowning. Her body trembled as she blinked rapidly, her senses rushing back to her. The chains around her wrists fell away with a metallic clang.
Disoriented, she realized she was in a stranger's arms. Panic set in, and she shoved the woman away.
"Who are you?!" she demanded, her voice laced with fear and suspicion.
"Calm down, Alina," the woman said, raising her hands in a non-threatening gesture.
"I'm not going to hurt you."
"Listen to her, Alina," Emma urged.
Alina turned, her eyes widening. "Emma?" she said in surprise. "When did you get here?"
"Calm down—"
Before Emma could finish, a low, painful whimper filled the air.
Alina froze.