384 Reaver's End

As soon as Arran had ripped the Reaver's amulet away, he hurried two dozen paces backward. Then, without hesitation, he tore away the thick mass of Shadow Essence he'd used to subdue the creature.

Freeing the Reaver was dangerous, but he knew it was necessary. He only had a single chance to witness how removing the amulet would affect it, and to see the full effects, he needed the creature to wake from its stupor.

Still, the Reaver recovered faster than he could have imagined.

The instant Arran removed the mass of Shadow Essence he'd used to subdue the creature, it sprang to its feet. And then, with a single leap, it was upon him, swinging its rough blade at his head even before it landed.