Father’s past sword training echoing in my mind. “Find their weak spots,” he had said. “And strike with all your weight.”
As the beast lunged, I swung the hilt of the sword, landing a blow to his abdomen, using my full body weight to drive it home.
To my shock, Idris staggered back, momentarily paralyzed.
“Run, Cassandra!” I shouted, my voice barely steady as I prepared to strike again if I had to.
Cassandra’s eyes widened in shock, but she snapped out of her trance and fled the room. I turned to follow, but Idris’s voice, distorted and pained, stopped me in my tracks.
“Help... me.”
I froze, glancing back to see his body trembling, his face twisted with agony. The transformation had taken over, and yet some part of Idris still fought for control. His crimson eyes flickered, the wil
