MATED TO MY BROTHER'S ENEMY
Lyra snapped, already yanking Joy up, but then, shouts, panic, and that telltale pulse of dark energy from the altar.
There was Kael, up on the stage, face red and wild, waving this staff with crystals that pulsed black. “Servants! Guards! Remember your oaths! Remember the gifts I gave you!” he screamed, and the staff started pouring out waves of gross, oily power. Some of the freed folk staggered, hands to heads, like strings pulling them back under.
Lyra gritted her teeth. “Fight it!” she yelled, mind already reaching out, grabbing whatever threads she could and weaving shields around her people. “Remember who you are! You swore to protect the innocent, not serve some monster!”