The veil keeps cracking, splintering wider with every heartbeat. There's no sense pretending otherwise—I'm done running. It's time to face my enemy head-on.
I could let the tension build a little longer, let the air grow thicker, but my own fingers are already itching for a fight. The stronger she grows, feeding on that boundless rage, the sweeter the battle will taste. I want to feel my blood boil again, want to feel my skin catch fire with longing. It's a hunger I haven't fed in so long. And now, there's nothing left to wait for.
No more stalling.
"I want a few minutes alone with her," I say, voice steady and calm, though the need in me is anything but. "Let me fight her by myself. Focus on stabilizing your power. I know how risky it is, rushing your foundation like this, but there was no other way."
