reathing

r. Ro

ch breath from somewher

ll, her pulse a war drum in her throat. His wor

w what shiftin

ow sh

from inside his spine. Veins rose like roots under his skin, and his gro

ck as shadow. His eyes glowed

rling, gripping the floor l

looked

un

didn'

frozen, terrified - and yet... fascinated. The

fight

d. The Reaper wa

receded - not completely, but just enough. His form stayed hal

one elbow, soaked

it," he muttered

to him, hands tremb

. "You didn't sc

ante

. "Then why

't have

, somehow, she didn'

er recognized him - not his face, b

floor - the one burned

ing

napped open. "

oor s

it bl

it. Metal

ugh the

walk

monster. Sh

mirk that could slice skin. Her hair was braided lik

voice silk-wrapped st

her thro

anded on her - dar

what you are yet, d

Shaking. Ba

alone," h

. "Still playing th

e looked at

a who betrayed