Katerina's presence vanished again, swallowed by that distortion that enveloped her each time she activated her cape. The garden remained calm for a brief instant, barely enough time for the three's breath to stabilize.
The gravel crunched.
To the right.
"Two steps back, Sköll."
Lucia's indication arrived in low voice, firm, without trace of doubt.
Sköll obeyed instantly. She dragged her foot, turned her hip and retreated just as a dark chain emerged from the ground at the point where she had been. The metal hit the air with a dry snap and retracted again, as if breathing.
"Front, above."
Hati didn't wait for her to finish the sentence. Her katana rose in a clean arc, cutting diagonally.
The blade found resistance.
