Vampires reacted instantly—some leaping back, others snarling in reflex—but the fire didn't behave like ordinary flame.
It didn't flicker.
It didn't spread.
It hunted.
The green inferno tore through defenses as if they weren't there at all, forcing vampires to scatter in blind desperation.
Panic erupted where moments before there had only been controlled fear. Cries rang out, sharp and unrestrained, echoing off stone and blood-soaked earth alike.
And then the fire reached Zyren.
Green flames wrapped around him, licking at his body, crawling up his legs, and coiling around his torso, swallowing him whole for a single suspended heartbeat.
Clearly, it was not fire of the usual kind.
Time seemed to stutter.
Then Zyren raised his hands.
The motion was slow.
Calm.
Almost bored.
As if this was beneath his attention.
The shadows responded.
