216 His hands around hers

Emily's grip on the hammer tightened as she locked her gaze with Marshall's, who stared back at her with a wary expression. There was an unmistakable glint of contempt in his eyes, which held disgust towards her. 

She raised her hand, ready to strike him, but her hand abruptly halted midway, clutching the handle tightly. The desire to hurt him back, just like he had hurt her, to make him feel the pain and the shame that people had directed towards her, surged within her. However, she couldn't go through with it, as it wasn't who she was. 

Marshall had closed his eyes, ready to receive the blow that never landed. 

A sigh resonated in the room, emanating from Raylen, and he said, "Drop the hammer. You are incapable of using it." 

Though Emily was oblivious to the archdemon's underlying intention, Marshall wasn't, and he shook his head. She aimed the hammer at his hand and shut her eyes.