Page 157 of Riv's Sanctuary

She couldn't be more ready.

She was about to tell him just what she was thinking when there was a crackle in the air.

Grot’s boom of a bark rumbled through the space immediately, as he began to snarl.

Riv stiffened, his eyes darting around them.

“Phek,” she heard Ka’Cit mutter.

“What is it?” she asked.

It felt like static was suddenly crackling in the air and as Grot continued to bark, the tension in the air became very real on a literal level.

Riv gripped her and pushed her behind him as something crackled and materialized in the air in front of them.

It was like a glowing orb of light and electricity and as she watched, her eyes wide, there were shapes materializing in front of them.

Four alligator-guards appeared out of thin air.

Time stood still.

“What the actual phek?” Riv muttered.

Okay, so it wasn’t just her imagination, then. They’d literally appeared out of thin air.

She’d had no idea teleportation was possible until that very moment.

The guards took a second to take in the surroundings, their gaze locking on her, then moving to Riv.

Riv pushed her further behind him as Grot came by his side, both blocking her from the sudden danger in their midst.

Everyone was frozen and staring at the huge beasts. The guards’ blasters were pointed and ready and as they looked toward the hovercar, she stiffened along with Riv.

They were going to see Ka’Cit and the bodies of their comrades.

SHIT.

She could tell when they saw their fellow guards because their blasters suddenly charged all at once.

Ka’Cit raised his hands. "Funny story..." he began.

There was a roar before one guard lunged his way.

Riv spun, his arms around her as he lifted her, and threw her over the fence unto a fat cow-hippo.

"Duck!" he managed to say before something slammed into his back.

One of the guards jammed his blaster against Riv's shoulders and their eyes locked.

Fury.

Cold, cold fury.

Riv roared, fangs flashing.

A blur of black cut through the air as Grot jumped, his teeth sinking into the guard's arm.

Shit shit shit.