The severing force descended.
It came down like light shaped into a blade.
Not to burn them.
Not to crush them.
To separate them.
Sebastian's body sagged in Vivian's arms. His strength was almost gone. His head dropped against her shoulder. His breathing was faint. Too faint.
"Sebastian…" her voice trembled. "Stay with me. Please."
The chamber pulsed.
SEVERANCE IN PROGRESS.
The thin line of light between their hands grew brighter. It pushed between their fingers. It tried to slide between their palms.
Vivian tightened her grip.
Across the chamber, Mr. Ravenscroft suddenly stood.
His chair scraped loudly against the stone.
Fear was clear on his face.
"He will die," he said sharply.
He stepped forward—
And fire exploded across the floor in front of him.
A wall of blazing light rose instantly, cutting him off.
He stopped just inches away from the flames.
The heat forced him back.
The chamber had drawn a boundary.
NO INTERFERENCE PERMITTED.
