Rebecca moved before anyone could react. She'd been waiting behind a stack of supply crates near the mine entrance for the past ten minutes, watching for her signal. When Luthra drove his knee into Silas's stomach, she knew it was time.
Her fist glowed deep red with concentrated mana as she appeared behind Silas. The energy wasn't stable or controlled. It pulsed and flickered like a dying fire, but it was all she had.
Yesterday, she'd asked Luthra to train her again.
"I want to help. Not just throw rocks and run away. I want to actually help you fight."
"Your mana is unstable. It could kill you if you push too hard."
"I don't care. Teach me something useful."
"No."
"Please. I hate being useless. I hate watching you do everything while I just hide."
He had looked at her for a long moment. She was covered in dirt and dried blood, but her eyes were serious.
"It will hurt. A lot. And you might die."
