The Blood-Fiend stood in the ruins of the Tribunal Hall.
Benches were overturned, tiles were cracked, and the display screens behind the plaintiff's platform had been broken by the shockwave of Aldric's transformation. Their surfaces trailed sparks that fizzled out across the floor, leaving the hall filled with the smell of scorched metal and something far more sinister.
The thing that had been Aldric Sterling drew another breath. Its chest expanded, the red-black armor plates spreading apart to reveal the glistening tissue underneath. When it exhaled, the sound was a deep rumble from somewhere within the core of the mutation, vibrating through the floor and up into the soles of Holden's boots.
Grrrrrgl.
The Blood-Fiend's head swiveled. Its vertical mouth opened, rows of black, serrated teeth glistening with dark fluid, and its burning red eyes locked onto Lyra.
Holden stood between them, the Solar-Forged Sword hanging at his side.
