I sucked in a sharp breath, watching mutely as he stepped forward, lifting the staff high into the air, lightning crackling in the narrow hallway; burning the carpet and destroying the portraits. Prince Bancroft barely had a chance to react as Berus sent the lightning barrelling towards me, aiming for my heart; his intention to kill me before he had even spoken to Silas. I backed away another step, moving into a defensive stance as it hit, my power deflecting the attack; launching it into the ceiling as I gasped, some of the lightning breaking through, slamming me into the hard ground. The ceiling buckled slightly, stone collapsing onto the ground between me and Berus, the thundering clap of the lightning almost deafening me. I withered on the ground, an agonising pain shooting through my
