The Hollowing that emerged from Ashmere's tree line moved with a hungry, deliberate purpose entirely unlike the cautious, testing creature that had approached the fortress weeks before — as though whatever restraint it had once shown had been entirely consumed along with the families it had already taken. Its shape had grown, too, subtly but unmistakably larger than the one that had watched Jasmine from the fortress tree line, a detail that settled cold and unwelcome in her stomach the moment she noticed it, one more sign that time was working against them faster than anyone had accounted for.

"Get everyone into the hall," Jasmine commanded, already moving toward the...