As Lily, Isadora, and Masha activated their teleportation charms to flee, the Loose Immortal suddenly raised his hand.
"Wait. Temptress, stop." His voice carried enough pressure to freeze the air around them. "I am Texa. Your captain, Phantom Blackwood, sent me to pick you up."
All three women halted mid-flight, blinking in confusion.
"Huh?" they said at the same time, each tilting her head as if they had misheard him.
Texa simply motioned for them to follow.
A few minutes later, Isadora and Masha hovered beside the drifting shadow of the Shadow Pearl, unsure how the Immortal had located it, while Lily slipped through the shadow membrane and entered the ship's concealed space.
Inside the shadow realm, Tyler stood waiting. Lily rushed forward instantly and hugged him tightly.
"It might be late," she whispered, "but welcome back."
Tyler patted her back, relieved she was safe. "Thanks. Oi, what happened to Ling Tian?"
"He's in my pocket dimension. He lost consciousness."
