Kai remained seated on the stone bench long after his unstable host departed.
Footsteps faded steadily up the winding stairwell until absolute silence reclaimed the holding block.
This underground cell felt noticeably colder now, but that suited his magical core perfectly.
Dried blood cracked across his bare chest and arms every time he shifted his weight.
He didn't even bother washing it off.
That familiar copper tang reminded him exactly what kind of man he had become to survive this city.
'She is hanging on by a very thin thread,' Kai thought, staring right through the iron bars.
'Her mind is fracturing much faster than her mortal body can actually handle.'
'One more push will shatter her sanity into a million unrecoverable pieces.'
He closed his eyes and focused his attention inward.
He circulated his freezing mana through every vein and artery to soothe his aching muscles.
