Sabine did retract her arm holding the staff and Lunise did back off. Neither did so with any hint of reassurance. Especially Sabine, for her more expressive face was backed by memories of the previous time this happened. All she could do was hold her staff ready to react to the cultists on the other end of the room.

The pack collectively tensed up when Hal-Neesa readied her magic. The hair on the backs of their necks, where present, stood on end before Neesa even lifted her arms.

There was no time to ask questions or even give comments.