We didn't even get to breathe.
One second, I was screaming in triumph, riding the high of victory, and the next—
Shlck.
I froze.
I turned my head just in time to see Lina's body jerk awkwardly.
Then—Her head slid clean off her shoulders, almost gracefully, almost mockingly.
It hit the ground with a soft, ugly thud, green-vine like hair spraying out like some fucked-up halo.
For a full second, nobody moved.
Not me.
Not Vayu.
Not Kane.
The threads—thin, shining, almost invisible mana threads shone in the air, hanging like spider silk between Lucas's raised fingers.
He had done it.
He'd actually killed someone already?
The boy's violet eyes gleamed, too dark, too twisted, like something had snapped loose inside him.
Lucas straightened up, blood dripping from his cut arm, a crooked smile spreading across his stupidly perfect face.
"You should've run," The boy said softly.
Kane roared, sprinting at him like a bull—
And then—
Tchk!
A glint of metal.
