Dune awoke with a start. The familiar, oppressive darkness of the cave greeted him, but Hazel was still unconscious beside him.
The creature that had been draining her life force lay dead nearby.
As Dune struggled to his feet, a cold blade pressed against his neck, stopping him in his tracks.
Azrael stood over him, eyes gleaming with menace. "How did you escape?" Dune demanded, his voice barely above a whisper.
Azrael's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Did you really think those bandages could hold me? They might have delayed me, but let me share a little secret about my second ability."
Dune's mind raced. How many abilities does this guy possess? He isn't a Zeten. How can he have so many abilities?
"What is it?" he asked, curiosity and fear mingling in his voice.
"I can absorb Neba," Azrael revealed. "And you already know my first ability: Pain, to make others feel excruciating pain."
Dune's eyes widened.
