Lucian fought.
He charged again, blade flashing, fury cutting through despair. Every strike was aimed to kill, every swing a scream of defiance against Selis's betrayal.
But Salister caught his blade with one hand, his grip iron, his expression unbothered. Emerald's laughter, sharp and melodic, rang behind him, like the sound of glass breaking.
"Still the righteous fool," Salister taunted. "You fight as if one man can kill me."
"He's not entirely human, my love," Emerald said softly and smiled mockingly. "He's half vampire."
Lucian snarled, twisting his blade, but Emerald's hand flicked, and an invisible force slammed him across the sanctum.
He hit the ground hard, blood spilling from his mouth as the weight of her magic pinned him like an insect beneath glass.
And through the haze of pain, his eyes found Selis again.
Selis stood frozen, her expression unreadable.
