🐺 Chapter Eleven: The Shattered Claim and the Retreat..
"Dammit," Kael hissed, slamming his fist against the wooden altar. "They're using real magic, not just cultist parlor tricks. The Thorn's redirection must have alerted their leaders to the Shard's active status."
He looked at me, his gaze calculating, devoid of all earlier passion or rage. I was a tactical asset now.
"The Thorn," he said, tapping a finger against the comms earpiece. "Can you use it again? Right now?"
"It's possible," I admitted, rubbing the point on my finger where I had drawn blood. "But it requires physical contact and a True Will command. The redirection takes an immense toll on both of us. It could kill you next time if the command isn't precise. And the Shadow Cult Channeler... they'll be ready for a concentrated magical blast."
