The shadow's fist remained buried in Jack's chest, fingers wrapped around his heart; his grip should have crushed the organ, but instead, he held it gently.
Purple-and-black lightning continued raining from above, Astrape's Reign flooding the chamber with electrical discharge that scorched stone.
Each bolt struck Jack's transformed frame, a force sufficient to kill lesser beings, washing over him in waves that made his scales smoke.
But the shadow wasn't attacking anymore.
Its red eyes stared into his crimson gaze with an expression that carried neither triumph nor malice.
But recognition.
Understanding that transcended words despite the conversation they were about to have.
"You're such a fool," the shadow whispered, its voice barely audible above the crackling thunder.
Jack's breathing was ragged, his demonic constitution struggling to process having his heart held by an entity that was simultaneously him and separate from him.
