The swamp answers.

  Water surges upward, roots tearing free as something ancient rises—taller than the trees, crowned in bone and moss.

  The Bog Queen.

  “You spill sacred blood,” she roars. “You will feed the mire.”

  Pressure slams into them. Shawny is thrown back. Fang struggles to stay airborne. Big B digs his heels in.

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  Danny steps forward.

  The Queen’s gaze locks onto him.

  “Oh,” she whispers. “You glow.”

  Vines explode from the ground, wrapping, crushing, dragging. Danny fights—but hesitates. The yellow energy surges, but he doesn’t release it.

  Control.

  Fear.

  Memory.

  The Queen raises her hand.

  And reality splits.