Dust still hung heavy in the air, swirling in slow, ghostly eddies. My ears rang like the world itself had cracked apart.
Did I—?
My thoughts stumbled over themselves. Did it hit her? I squinted through the haze, searching for any sign of movement. For a heartbeat, there was nothing—just the distant hum of dying energy. Then—
A flash of silver.
My instincts screamed. A blade shot through the smoke, gleaming with killing intent. I barely had time to react. My palm shot forward, purple fire igniting around my hand, roaring like a starving beast. The edge of Nora's rapier met my flame mid-thrust, sparks and embers scattered like shattered stars.
I twisted, forcing her blade aside, the air vibrating from the impact.
