Heat rose inside me. My insides felt like they were searing and I could smell my own flesh burning. I fell back on his stairs, trying to find a mental escape from the feeling—but there was none. The agony was unmeasurable but if I gave into it, the battle would be over before it started, so instead, I allowed it to do its damage.
Standing up, I refocused on Monlow's mind, trying to break his concentration. I flew back in the air and my shoulder popped out of its socket. I slammed it back in place. Regaining my footing, I tried to ignore his havoc on me and focused on his mind. As if an unseen fist hit me in the face, I twisted to the left and blood spewed down my nose.
I spat out the gore and sent an energy charge toward him, twirling him in the air. His thoughts were hard to break throu
