Odelia drew a long, shaky breath and let it out slowly. The tension that had locked her shoulders finally eased a fraction. Sweat and melting ice still clung to her skin, mixing with the blood that continued to seep from her ruined right arm.
"How are things over there?" she asked.
Grey's answer was brief. "They'll be fine without my help."
She nodded once. The short reply was enough. She did not need the details.
The two Gnomes standing opposite them felt none of that relief. They had pushed harder the moment Grey left, determined to finish her before he could return. Instead he had appeared at the exact instant her resistance began to crack. The timing left a bitter taste.
The scarred Gnome's jaw tightened. Grey had stopped his wind blades as if they were nothing more than drifting leaves. He glanced sideways and saw his companion's eyes twitching as they locked onto the young human.
