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The guard nearest you is happy to offer their pike, but it feels heavy and ungainly in your hand. You rush toward Isidora and strike out at the creature above her, but your assault misses wildly, throwing you off-balance. The other guards clustered near Isidora manage to pierce the demon's form and bring it to earth, but not before it wraps a tendril around your arm and screams. Or maybe the one screaming is you.

The world is white for a moment, and then you're on the ground, staring as the flesh around your elbow goes swollen and gray. It doesn't hurt, you realize after a stunned moment. In fact, you can't feel your arm at all. Evander runs to your side, helping you up. "Are you all right, Jun?" he demands.

"I think so," you manage, trying to clear your head. "It doesn't hurt. I can't feel it at all."

Evander swallows. "You've done this before, Jun, you'll be all right," he whispers. Gently, he lets you go, and once he's made sure you can stand, he turns toward another demon, calling more fire into his hand at the same time in one fluid motion.

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