I surged upward, the restraints snapped like torn ligaments. Metal clanged. Plastic cracked. I grabbed the edge of the table for balance — barely — and launched myself toward the assistant.
Barit was already moving, ducking back toward the door with that same coiled speed he'd used on the Leviathan. Coward first. Strategist second.
But the assistant?
He froze.
I hit him before he could speak, palm cracking into his jaw, snapping his head sideways. Bone broke. His knees gave out. I grabbed his coat, yanked him forward, and drove my other hand into the base of his skull.
He slumped.
I didn't stop.
I twisted my fingers in his hair, yanked his head back — and with one clean motion, tore his throat out.
Blood sprayed. Hot and arterial. It hit my chest, my arm. I barely felt it.
The corpse dropped with a wet slap. I staggered. The slick beneath my boots made my stance falter.
My body wasn't steady. The damage ran deeper than I'd felt.
My system blinked active.
[Mana: 100%]
