Chapter 45

By killing lunatics like you.”

A blast of energy wrenched his soul, then battered him inside out. Screams ensued. Belatedly, it dawned that the pain was dimming and his vision was returning. Then it registered that he knew that energy deep in his heart, and that was enough to kickstart his fighting spirit and rouse him back to awareness. There was so much brightness at first, making it hard to determine which way was up, but a hand clasped his and Alicia drew closer.

“Heads up, Brian,” she ordered.

Alan stumbled into view, face purple and eyes bulging red. Before the man could reach them, Alicia lifted their joined hands—and instinct drove into Brian, prompting him to do the rest as he swung their hands forward. Their energy formed to ice, sharp and brilliant…slicing straight through Alan neck until the man’s head detached from his body and rolled to the ground. The body followed, crumpling with a heavy thud, and a stone clattered beside the bleeding form.

Alicia bent over to examine