Valecar roared.
His body surged with rage, shadows peeling off his limbs like smoke. His muscles expanded, bones crackling with raw energy. His hand exploded into claws, and with one brutal twist, he tore himself free from Lucifer's grip and launched a vicious strike across Lucifer's face.
Lucifer's head snapped to the side—blood flew.
But he didn't move.
He turned back slowly.
His lip was split. A red line cut across his cheek.
But his eyes?
Unblinking.
He drove his knee into Valecar's gut—deep, merciless. The impact lifted Valecar off the ground. Before he could fall, Lucifer grabbed his leg and spun, smashing him through a column. The stone shattered like wet paper. Valecar tumbled across the courtyard, leaving a groove in the floor.
He tried to stand.
Lucifer appeared behind him again.
One hand gripped his shoulder.
The other smashed into his spine.
A sickening crack echoed.
Valecar screamed.
