Before anyone could step toward the opening, a familiar voice spoke from the shadows.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Tobias Grey stepped out from behind a wall.
But something was different about him. His eyes glowed with old power, and his presence made the air shimmer.
"Tobias?" Elara said, confused. "How did you get past the time freeze?"
"Because time doesn't affect me the way it affects you," he answered simply.
The nine children turned to look at him. Their baby faces showed surprise for the first time.
"You're not mortal," baby Truth said, her voice filled with wonder. "No, little one. I'm not." Kael staggered to his feet.
"What are you talking about? You're a rogue wolf." Tobias smiled sadly. "I haven't been a wolf for over three thousand years."
"Three thousand?" Ronan gasped. "Give or take a century. I stopped counting after the first millennium."
