to glow with a soft blue light. Renard pressed forward relentlessly, trying to prevent the spell from forming. He could feel the heat building in Thomas's palm - whatever the elder was preparing, it would be dangerous in such a small space.
Thomas managed to grab Renard's shoulder with his non-glowing hand and shove him back against the wooden door. The impact sent a dull thud through the bathroom, and Renard worried about the noise carrying to other rooms. But he used the wall as leverage, planting his feet firmly and driving his knee toward Thomas's stomach with all his strength.
Thomas twisted aside at the last moment, and the knee caught his hip instead of his soft belly. He grunted in pain, his face twisting as the blow connected with bone, but he managed to wrap his arm around Renard's neck. His forearm pressed against Renard's throat, trying to get him in a chokehold while keeping his glowing hand free to complete the spell.
