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Lord Oblog’s voice is cold and commanding – different to his usual mockery.

I instantly tense up. Whatever Lucius just put in my hand, I sense that Oblog saw. He’s already tortured me with electric shocks – I’m terrified of what he’d come up with to punish me for this infraction.

Making matters worse, Lucius’s calm aura instantly shatters with stress the moment he hears Oblog’s words – confirming my fears. Before Lucius can get control of it, he shares his horror with me – and while that emotion is only out of his control for an instant, the emotion is contagious – infecting my mind.

Do as he says. Regaining self-control, Lucius telepaths to me.I won’t let him hurt you.

I know Lucius is trying to calm me with his thoughts, but that momentary flash of panic revealed that he’s just as scared as I am.

Practically trembling, I turn to face Oblog – my breathing quick and ragged, and panic rising in my chest.

Calm before battle.

It’s Marcel’s voice in my head – his aura hard and ready for war.

I know whatever happens, he’s at my back. It bolsters me. I gulp, stepping up the stairs slowly, heading toward Lord Oblog with my head held high.

Each step is more difficult than the last. It’s like I’m walking through molasses. ThethingLucius placed in my palm is burning a hole through my skin. Whatever it is, I slip it into the pocket of my pants as I climb the steps.

Behind me, all three of the Aurelians’ auras are intensely focused – and I sense that they’re each ready to dive forward, up the stairs, if they think Lord Oblog has any intentions of hurting me.

I stare up at the grotesque creature as I approach him, and Lord Oblog stares down at me with disdain. The closer I get, the more I see how his flesh glistens in the light. A fly lands on his forehead – but unlike last time, he doesn’t even seem to notice it. He remains fixated on me – watching intently as I take the steps one-by-one, my dread growing with every step.

As I reach the top of the stairs, he demands:

“Put out your hand.”

His voice is a cold command without gloating.

My hand is in my pocket. The object is clenched tightly in my fist. I gulp, and pull my hand from my pants – but the moment I do so, I see Lord Oblog reaching into the folds of his loincloth.

Suddenly, the vivid image of him drawing a knife and slicing off my hand as I offer it up to him fills my mind. I see a vision of the punishment he plans to enact – filling my mind so vividly that it transmits to my triad.

The moment I do, Lucius snaps.

He rushes forward, charging up the stairs. I turn in horror, watching as the Sentinels raise their deadly weapons toward him…