The ground was scorched black. Trees had long stopped burning; their remains now cracked and bent like broken bones. Emmeranne darted forward, blinking through flashes of light, sword in hand, but her movements were slower, more labored. Her breath came in shallow, uneven bursts.
Aiden tried to back her up with a burst of flame, but the moment he lifted his arm, a sharp pain seized his ribs. He dropped to his knees, choking on the taste of iron in his throat.
"Damn it," he rasped, clutching his side. The fire on his fingertips fizzled out.
Karro stepped through the flames unfazed, the blood swirling around him like a crimson storm. His cloak billowed behind him as he turned toward Emmeranne, his eyes glowing an unnatural red.
"You've lasted longer than most," he said, almost conversationally.
A tendril of blood lashed toward Emmeranne, wrapping around her ankle. Before she could teleport, another coiled around her wrist, then her torso, binding her midair.
