Then—I saw it.
I surged forward, thrusting my blade deep into Marco’s shoulder.
His primal roar shook the walls.
He swung wildly, desperate to drive me back. His massive blade whistled through the air, narrowly missing my head.
I ducked, rolled?—
Then, I leaped to my feet, blood pounding in my ears.
We limped around each other, two warriors barely standing, held together only by sheer will. My breath was ragged, my limbs trembling, but slowly, strength returned to me. Marco’s movements grew sluggish—his swings desperate and reckless.
I dodged his next attack with ease, slipping past his defenses. Now.
I lunged forward, my blade driving deep into his chest with a sickening thud.
The light faded from his eyes.
And just like that, it was over.
A strange scent curled through the air.
Bitter. Sharp.
The moment it hit the back of my throat, I gagged.
A thick, acrid smoke flooded the tavern, turning the world into a choking, blinding void.
I staggered, throwing out my hands, feeling for anything—for anyone.
“Marcellious?” I coughed, my voice raw. “Where are you?”
Fingers snatched my hair, yanking my head back with brutal force.
A voice slithered into my ear.
“I’m going to have a lot of fun with your brother,” Balthazar hissed. “He betrayed me. And now he’s going to pay.”
Before I could react, searing pain exploded through my side as his blade sliced into me.
I crumpled, agony crashing over me in waves.
Through the swirling fog of pain, I caught a glimpse of Marcellious—his body writhing in Costa’s merciless grip, bloody tears streaking his face as he fought for freedom.
The room tilted. My head pounded as if a thousand knives were stabbing through my skull.
Shit. Costa released poison.
The air turned thick, suffocating.
The edges of my vision darkened.
Then—
Costa and Balthazar flung Marcellious’ limp body into the street like discarded trash.
Spears of agony pierced my skull as I stumbled blindly, trying to fight the poison’s grip.
