Xavier's body moved before conscious thought could intervene. The sword missed him by inches—close enough that he felt the displaced air slice across his cheek like a frozen razor.
The impact obliterated the plaza.
Stone exploded. The obsidian blade carved a gaping crater where Xavier had been a heartbeat before. The shockwave buckled the plaza, rolling through the cobblestones like an earthquake and sending the last few standing survivors sprawling.
Xavier hit the fractured stone hard, his shoulder taking the brunt of the impact as he rolled. Pain shot through his ribs, but he forced himself back to his feet, ironwinter dagger still clutched in his grip. His ears rang from the concussion, but through the white noise, he could hear Ashley cursing and Naomi shouting something he couldn't make out.
