No warning shots were fired.
No force was used beyond maintaining the defensive formation.
The Shadow Guards endured the assault in silence, refusing to raise their weapons against the very people they had been sent to protect.
Elena looked across the sea of frightened faces.
"They're not attacking because they hate Nightfall," she said quietly.
Erin nodded.
"They're protecting something."
Before either of them could say more, the unmistakable thunder of helicopter rotors rolled across the valley.
Every head turned toward the sky.
Powerful searchlights swept across the village as a military helicopter descended toward the clearing beside the treatment shelters. Dust, loose leaves, and ash spiraled violently through the air before the aircraft settled onto the ground.
The cabin door opened immediately.
Ryker stepped out first, followed closely by another squad of Shadow Guards.
His eyes swept across the scene in a single glance.
The overturned medical equipment.
