Stephan burned through another five souls, black flames knitting bone and muscle as his ribs popped back into place with sickening cracks. His chest still throbbed, every breath searing, and the ache in his spine told him the last impact had been close to crippling.
Asriel tilted her head, her violet eyes gleaming like cruel stars. "It's amazing how fast you can heal," she purred. "Let me guess… you're burning your little stockpile of souls to patch yourself up."
Stephan froze mid-breath, pupils tightening. How the hell does she know about burning souls?
"Oh, don't look so surprised." Asriel's lips curved into a smile that wasn't quite human. "I know all about your little tricks. You're not as special as you think. You're not even the first one to crawl in here carrying that sort of power."
His grip on the Ossuary Sword tightened, knuckles whitening. Not the first one…?
