Real Magic

The ice-cold dagger pierced through the air, causing a whip of frosty wind to trail after it before it finally landed on its shot. Under the brilliant sunlight, the natural weapon glittered like a stick of diamonds, sparkling with mesmerizing — and deadly — beauty.

Atticus hadn't lied. He didn't miss.

The shard of ice landed right onto Eugene's body, each piece carefully avoiding fatal points like his neck or his heart, but they were enough to draw blood and for Eugene to stop short in shock.

"This 'meridian' thing you were saying," Atticus said, standing and stretching to his full height, "I presume it's something from Santok? The kingdoms in the east do seem to have unique methods to heal and incapacitate people. Thanks for reminding me to study them later."