The time freeze collapsed, making everything go back to normal.
The air blew on Fay's face again. Once more, she could feel the coldness of the ground seeping from below the layer of blankets she laid herself down on.
The human leader's swing continued past Peter's neck, just an inch short of claiming his life.
Fay's heart stopped.
She could no longer process what was happening.
Even with the hex on the time falling apart, the darkness that grew from within its effect didn't vanish. It settled itself firmly within the shadows of the night, waiting for an opportunity to pounce and break free from its chains.
But things weren't over yet.
The axe missed, carrying the leader along its path as it continued past Peter's throat. Her man, though, didn't waste his costly spell on just a dodge.