Kael blinked repeatedly, his lungs burning as air rushed in raggedly. He felt as if he had just emerged from a profound nightmare, dragging with him the weight of confusion and exhaustion.
His still-blurred vision barely made out the shapes before him—until the golden reflection of Irelia's hair broke through the haze of his senses. A brief relief threatened to form, but was snatched away in the next instant.
Between him and the three women at the door, a figure moved with predatory grace.
Sazhara rose slowly, each movement matching the tense sway of her tail, which sliced the air with a sharp snap. Her blue eyes, sharp as blades of ice, sparked with irritation and malice. A crooked smile played across her crimson lips—a smile that sought not charm, but merely provocation.
Rolling her shoulders, she positioned herself like a living wall before Kael, completely blocking his view of the newcomers.
