"Stop her! Fight her beast! Do not let her leave here alive!" Her shrill voice pierced the air, but her words seemed to falter, lacking the fire they once held.
Esme's gaze narrowed, her eyes flicking towards the fallen Second Aunt. Her lips curved into a chilling smile. Bending down, she picked up a thick, weathered branch lying on the ground, its weight heavy in her hands.
She tested it with a grim satisfaction, a flicker of dark amusement lighting her eyes as she glanced at the Second Aunt, who was now scrambling backward, her face draining of color.
"Oh, no, don't move," Esme murmured, her tone almost mocking, as she closed the distance between them with slow, deliberate steps. The Second Aunt's eyes widened, her mouth opening as if to scream, but before she could, Esme swung the stick, aiming for her hand.
The sickening crunch of bone filled the air, and a scream tore from the Second Aunt's lips as she crumpled forward, clutching her shattered hand.
