Hurried footsteps rushed down the stairs; it was Mason and Caelum. They had left for some minutes, knowing how dangerous it was for them to be near the beast. Usually, they wouldn't be back until hours later, but they heard the screams, the chains rattling, and knew instantly that something was wrong.
They burst into the place, holding their weapons and ready to attack the beast if needed, following Thorne's instructions. But they hadn't expected this.
Thorne was back to his human self, his chin dripping with blood that wasn't his.
Caelum looked down, and his breath hitched. Adina lay sprawled at his feet, her neck torn open, her body limp, pale, stained red.
His gut twisted. "What have you done?" he choked out, his voice hoarse.
Thorne didn't look at him. He knelt slowly, his hands shaking as he scooped Adina's body into his arms.
"Get Thessara," he rasped. "NOW!"
———-
