Celeste's stomach heaved. Her instincts screamed at her to save the child even as her brain recognized the trap. The monster was a psychological predator, using their own empathy as a weapon.
"FORM DEFENSIVE PERIMETER!" Julian's voice cracked on the last word. "SHIELDS UP! SHIELDS UP!"
Aaron planted his feet and activated his graviton anchor, making himself as immovable as a mountain. The front line braced behind him, weapons raised, spells charging.
The Angler looked at them with its empty socket eyes.
And it laughed.
The sound wasn't audible. Celeste felt it in her bones, in her teeth, in the spaces between her thoughts. A vibration that said, in no uncertain terms, you are prey.
Then it opened its mouth and screamed.
