Nyx
Her reflection put the knife away.
That was the first change Nyx hadn't expected.
The false version of her stood beside an open side passage. Beyond it lay a short stair, dry stone and an outer door with no one guarding it. No Cedric. No injured party. No need to decide which person deserved the last useful part of her strength.
The reflection lifted an empty hand.
"Alone," it said.
Nyx kept her eyes on the edge of the real housing.
Valeria's lamp stood at a shallow angle to the panel. Its light caught a narrow gap where the illusion did not meet the physical frame cleanly. The training device had exposed itself the same way. Valeria had noticed then. Nyx had been standing close enough to learn from it.
Today the receiver was harder to reach, and the thing using it could object.
"How long do you need?" Liora asked.
"Long enough to cross to the first pier. Then I need its right arm occupied."
"You won't get a long hold."
"I don't need you to win it."
