Ken screamed.
But he didn't let go.
"More—" he choked out. "Need more capacity—get the others—"
Footsteps. Two more beast knights staggered into the room—the ones who'd been thrown into the wall. Mahir, the head of the knights, face set with grim determination. And another, younger, with wolf ears and wide, terrified eyes.
Both grabbed her arms.
Both triggered their collar clasps.
Three magical leashes blazed to life, connecting their collars to Elara's wrists and the bands she wore beneath her sleeves. The magic that had been destroying her office, throwing back all help, found new channels.
It flooded into them.
All three beast knights convulsed, backs arching, strangled sounds escaping their throats. But they held on, gripping her arms, absorbing the overflow that would have killed any human instantly.
And slowly—agonizingly slowly—the pressure inside Elara began to decrease.
