Lucindra screamed as the blast of red fire slammed into her ribs, the force knocking her sideways into a half-collapsed column.
The stone cracked, groaned, and gave way, toppling dust and debris over her already scorched form.
Elysia didn't wait.
She surged forward, flames licking at her boots, eyes blazing, breath sharp with fury.
Her magic responded like it had been waiting no longer restrained, no longer elegant. It was wild now. Ferocious.
"Touch her again," she growled, fire blooming in both hands, "and I swear, Lucindra, you won't walk out of here."
Lucindra rose slowly, bloodied and furious, her red and black robes charred beyond recognition.
Her aura still crackled with corrupted shadow, but her movements had lost that refined grace. She looked human again flawed, rattled.
Vulnerable.
"You're just a girl playing queen," Lucindra spat, flinging a lance of dark energy.
