The others laughed. Fern cracked his knuckles. Theron eyed her like a trophy already won.
Aeloria's breath came in ragged bursts. Her pride held her upright, but the edges of her mind began to fray. The restraints burned her nerves with each pulse. Every heartbeat was a war. Her eyes darted to the mages behind, surely one of them would intervene?
But the women said nothing.
Mephina looked away. Lysander smirked behind his veil. Morgana's jaw tightened, but her silence said everything. They weren't here to help. They were here to watch.
This wasn't a simple ambush. It was a show of dominance. And Aeloria was the stage.
From her concealed position among the tall grass, Evangeline Morwyn observed the proceedings with the analytical fascination of someone witnessing an experiment of unprecedented scope. Her research into mana disturbances had led her to this confrontation, though she hadn't anticipated discovering anything quite so dramatic.
