As soon as Augustus's hand made contact with Orfry's, a sharp sting ran up his arm. Within the next second, an overwhelming wave of pain unlike anything he had ever experienced assaulted him. It was so intense—so mind-shattering—that Augustus couldn't even summon his energy in response.
"Aaargh! What are you doing?!" he screamed, writhing in agony, his knees buckling.
He tried to pull away instinctively, but Orfry's hand had morphed into something grotesque—a pulsating mass of mutated flesh and teeth that extended like a parasitic organism, wrapping around Augustus's forearm and anchoring him in place. Escape was impossible.
Orfry's smile widened with pleasure as he watched Augustus scream and struggle. The desperation in the scion's eyes seemed to fuel his twisted joy.
"I'm helping you," Orfry said softly, his voice calm and disturbingly delighted. "Just like I promised."
