Future Nova grabbed both her parents' hands, her power flaring around them like a protective shield. "I think," she said with the kind of calm that only came from absolute terror, "we might have traded one problem for a much bigger one."
The glowing eyes drew closer, accompanied by what sounded like a heated discussion in a language that seemed to consist entirely of clicks, whistles, and what could only be described as aggressive tutting. Marcus shifted into a defensive stance, his hybrid nature bringing his fangs to prominence while his muscles coiled with barely restrained power.
"Stay behind me," he murmured to both Samantha and Nova, his voice carrying the authority of someone who had survived nearly a millennium of supernatural conflicts.
"Dad," future Nova said with the kind of patience usually reserved for explaining basic concepts to toddlers, "I literally just froze two Soul Harvesters with a thought. I think I can handle—"
