Axel took slow deep breaths as he held tightly to his leg and tried to process what exactly he was seeing.
“Do you like it?” Roman asked, grinning and tilting his head as he looked down at the root that replaced his arm. “After that mutt cut off my hand, the creature that wore my mother’s skin gave me an upgrade.”
Roman moved his arm, tugging at the root in Axel’s leg.
Axel clenched his teeth, feeling a fever coming over him as the fire spread in his leg.
“She also taught me how to listen to all the noise around me….” Roman whispered, turning his burning eyes back on Axel. “How to use it.”
The ground on either side of Axel rumbled and then exploded as thick, ancient roots burst from the dirt and wrapped around his arms, pulling him back and holding him in place. Axel growled and tried to struggle. But with each movement, the roots only tightened until he felt the strain against his shoulder threatening to dislocate.
“Nice little trick, isn’t it?” Roman asked.
