Liu Xian fists were still trembling, blue sparks flickering along his knuckles, but his glare stayed fixed on the being.
That damn grin hadn't moved.
"I see you don't like me," the thing said at last, and though its tone was light, teasing almost, there was an edge buried underneath. "But we'll have to put personal feelings aside, because…" The white eye flared, its grin stretching wider. "…we're dying."
The words landed like a hook in Liu's chest.
The being stepped closer, shadows rippling off its lanky frame like smoke peeling away from fire. "And even though it's just phantom pain, it still messes with the mind. Breaks things in here." It tapped its temple with one long black finger. "Damage in the mind is just as deadly as blood loss. You know that."
It leaned in closer, close enough that Liu Xian could feel the chill radiating from it, like frost brushing his skin. "So how about you let me take over? I'll help you out until the timer runs out. How about that?"
