Sanria watched Velentham advance on Gilean with a finger outstretched. She knew the look on his face from many times before. When she said something he didn't want to hear. Then Velentham tried to cast a spell. It ricocheted in a field surrounding him. Just as quickly, a large man and his cohort burst from the trees, and Velentham snatched her into his arms.
His clutch was enough to drive the air from her, and Sanria felt as though she were choking. "STAY BACK OR I'LL SNAP HER NECK!" Ice cold dread filled Sanria's veins. Kill her? The one who supposedly loved her so much?
Gilean came from the cottage as the other men slowed their advance. "You wouldn't." And Sanria felt Velentham tighten his grip, adjusting it, cradling her skull in one hand.
"I won't let you have her, cousin. I'd rather her die than be with you."
"Please... Velentham," Sanria begged. Something was definitely wrong.
"If she dies, you die. There is no way you're getting out of this."
"Then I'll go home and you'll be left with no one. Sounds fair enough to me."
It happened faster than Sanria anticipated. The whole forest was a blur of green, then instant and immediate darkness. Her face dropped into the humus-rich soil, but she could still smell it. She could feel something cradling her as though holding her back from plunging headlong into a deep abyss. She could not hear anything around her but a steady humming of magic. Though outwardly she may not have looked it... somehow... Sanria was still alive.
