Vaelix stared straight into my eyes. Fury burned inside him but beneath that fire, I could sense something else. Control. The kind that only came from centuries of killing.
He didn't move rashly. No roar, no charge. Just a slow, deliberate motion as he raised his hand, never breaking eye contact. The air between us tightened, and before I could react, Anjee's body jerked forward as if yanked by an invisible chain.
He flew through the air, helpless, and landed in Vaelix's grasp. His claws closed around his throat with a dull, final sound.
My stomach turned cold.
I clenched my teeth, Essence rushing through my veins as my thoughts raced. I couldn't move first. If I attacked, I'd lose access to my laws, and Vaelix would crush me in close combat. But if I hesitated, Anjee would die before I could even blink.
