Renny's jaw tightened. "Then you'll have to fight me for it."
Avradren laughed, sharp and offended. "Fight? Don't be ridiculous. You? A punk like you can't even…" He cut himself off with a snort. "Look, those rumors you've heard about yourself? Don't let itngwt to your head. Now hand the key over."
"No," Renny said flatly. "If you want it, come take it."
Avradren's grin faltered. "You're serious? You can't be. You actually think you stand a chance? Does you not see what I did to Khevlack?"
Renny didn't flinch. He knew what Avradren was. He also knew what he himself had become: His branch-level power stronger than before. If it came to it, he'd push himself past the pain.
But one thing was certain: he was not handing that key over. Not for any goddamn reason.
Renny's gaze hardened. "I'm not Khevlack," he said evenly. "And I'll say it again, if you want the key, you'll have to take it from me."
