Daniela nodded, her heart racing. She had rehearsed her words, each one calculated to ignite her brother's fury.
Daniela fumbled frantically with the small, silver device in her hand. Her heart pounded in her chest, her body trembling as she struggled to catch her breath. The device—a communication orb enchanted to allow mortals like her to use it—glowed faintly in her hands.
Tears blurred her vision as the orb flared to life, connecting her to Long Tianyun.
The moment his voice echoed from the orb, it was like a lifeline had been thrown to her. "Daniela? What's going on?"
Daniela's voice broke, her words tumbling out in a breathless rush. "B-Brother... something horrible happened..." She choked on her sobs, her body still trembling from the encounter she had barely escaped.
Long Tianyun's voice sharpened instantly, his tone laced with urgency and concern. "What happened? Daniela, talk to me!"