Ethan POV
The shadow wolf's claws scraped against my back as I threw myself between Emma and the monster. Pain shot through my shoulder, but I didn't let go of the little girl in my arms.
"Stay back!" I roared, my voice carrying all the power I could manage. The creature's red eyes glowed brighter, but it took a step backward.
Emma was burning up with heat in my arms. Her small body shook like a leaf, and the golden power around her hands flicked on and off like a broken light bulb. She was getting sicker by the minute.
"Uncle Ethan," she whispered, her voice so weak I could barely hear it. "I can't make it stop. The bad things keep coming."
I looked around the top of the fire tower. Lily was pressed against the wall, her face white with fear. More shadow wolves were climbing up the sides of the tower, getting closer every second. Their screams filled the night air like a nightmare soundtrack.
