"Eyrx, STOP!" she screamed, running forward, but not daring to touch him. "You're going to kill him!"
He didn't even look at her.
His face was calm, terrifyingly calm. Silver eyes locked on the man he held like prey. Muscles in his jaw ticked. "He touched what's mine. He dies."
Another sickening pop sounded—shoulder, maybe. The man groaned, barely conscious now, eyes rolling back from the pressure.
Thalina's heart pounded. She'd never seen Eyrx like this. Not cold. Not cruel.
Possessive. Vicious. Unforgiving.
She stepped closer, voice cracking. "He was helping me! That's all! I asked him to!"
Still no reaction.
"Please," she said again, softer this time, her hand trembling as she reached for him. "Please let him go. For me. He didn't know."
Something flickered in Eyrx's eyes. His tail stopped tightening.
A beat passed.
Then another.
