Azuna nodded and once again got to work. With a few seconds, a drop of blood floated up from the platform. It shot forward to the assassin.
The Third hissed as the drop of blood pierced into his chest like a hot needle. His body jerked violently, eyes bulging, veins lighting up with faint crimson lines.
"Aaaagh! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!" he gasped, clutching at his ribs as if someone had reached inside and twisted something vital. "You couldn't make this painless? You heartless, red-eyed bastard!"
Azuna didn't even look at him. "The imprint must be severed from your root," she said calmly. "Pain is unavoidable."
The Third screamed again before collapsing onto his side in a trembling heap. His breath came in ragged shudders as the red glow seeped out of him and drifted gently toward Damon like a strand of living mist.
