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Fenna sprinted, broadhead arrow reversed as stabbing lance. Obsidian tip punched into shoulder muscle. It was shallow, but blood hissed where it flowed. She yanked free, pivoted clear.
The leopard planted hind claws, muscle bulging. Resin cracked. Spider-cord groaned.
Zephyr closed. Hatchet high, wrist braced. He met the molten eyes—wild now.
"Message received," he growled. "Here's ours."
He swung the dagger. The steel wedge crushed into the soft notch beneath the jawline, where even Ember Veil thinned. Heat licked his knuckles raw, but he leaned, twisting the blade until cartilage split.
Star darted in, jaws snapping again—this time at the exposed Achilles above the snare knot. Tiny drake teeth cut tendons like twine. The rear leg collapsed.
Fenna planted foot on a resin slab, drove her arrow's obsidian point into the opposite carotid in a fierce short-stroke. Char-sap drove deeper like pulverized glass.
