The effect is immediate and palpable.
“Stop,” she chokes out, her body visibly fighting his influence. Her eyes are wide, pupils dilated, but there’s a fierce determination there.
“Who are you working for?” Griffyn presses, stepping closer, his presence predatory. “Why did you attack us?”
“You’re messing with something much bigger than you could ever know,” she gasps, her words coming out in a rush. “Leave the drugs alone. Just… just leave it all alone.”
“Who’s behind it?” Aksel demands, moving in.
“Look at your own council,” she hisses between labored breaths.
A chill runs down my spine at her implication, and I exchange a glance with Felix, whose expression has turned to granite.
“Enough of this!” Her voice cuts through the stillness, sharp as shattered glass. “You’ve no right to detain me!”
In a blur of desperation, she lunges forward with the chair still attached to her, aiming for the stairs that promise freedom. She topples over onto the ground just within distance of me.
Before I realize it, she grabs my ankle and tugs, sending me to the ground where my head smacks against the ground.
“Anna!” Blaze’s growl reverberates through the room, tinged with fury and concern.
I sit up and feel blood coming from the wound but I’m still conscious so it can’t be that bad.
The mage realizes there’s no escaping. Whatever she thought was going to happen when she lunged, didn’t. I imagine she’s finally understanding that these guys aren’t amateurs.
Her wide eyes meet mine. Then, with a defiant tilt of her chin, she bites down hard.
“No!” Aksel roars as he dives toward her.
His large hands reach for her jaw, fingers prying with urgency that borders on violence. But the pill has already begunto work. He pulls back, his hands empty, his expression a mask of frustration.
She crumples to the floor, her body convulsing as she dies. It’s over in seconds.
“What…why would she…” My thoughts scatter and I’m unable to form a coherent sentence.
This isn’t just about drugs.
“Damn it,” I curse under my breath.
“Anna, are you hurt?” Griffyn’s voice breaks through my reverie, but I barely register the words.
My mind is still grappling with the implications of what has happened here. It feels difficult to think.
“Fine,” I manage to mutter, even though I’m anything but. The pain in my head is throbbing.
“Let’s get her out of here,” Blaze says, his voice devoid of emotion.
“Blaze and I will go. One of you feed Anna so she heals quicker. I don’t like knowing she’s hurt.”
Griffyn steps up immediately and I don’t fight him as I drink from him. My head clears and it stops hurting within minutes.
They move toward the mage, lifting her body between them.
“Where will you take her?” I ask.
“Somewhere safe,” Blaze replies, the words roughened by his gruff demeanor. “Out of sight.”
“Shouldn’t we—” I start, but Felix cuts me off with a shake of his head, his hazel eyes solemn.
