He walked slowly toward her, each step unnervingly deliberate. She lunged again, voice cracking as she shouted, "Take this!" The second blow landed at his throat and clanged off like hitting an iron column. Her arms shook from the recoil. The white flames guttered and died.
"W What are you?" Celia whispered, half to herself.
A soft voice came inside Nolan's head—clear, private, and calm. Master. May I try a little harder? I want to test my strength in human form. The thought was not spoken aloud. It slipped into Nolan's mind like a warm hand.
Nolan blinked. You can speak telepathically? he replied in the same quiet channel. (Telepathy is the mind to mind communication he used to send the message.)
Yes, Damian answered instantly. I can. He paused as if measuring the moment. Do you want me to land a strike that will make her understand—something painful but not lethal? So she will know I am not someone to be trifled with, without you being blamed for ordering it.
