MATERD TO THE SON OF THE DEMON KING
Then the light dropped out of her eyes all at once, and she staggered, and I caught her before she hit the floor.
"Mercy."
"I'm here," she breathed. "I'm here, I just—" She stopped, pressing a hand to her chest like she was checking it was still beating right. "He almost—"
"I know."
"I couldn't let him."
"I know. I know, I've got you."
Behind us, my father had gone very still, staring at the blade still lying useless on the marble like it had betrayed him personally.
"Somebody explain to me what just happened," I said, not taking my eyes off Mercy's face, "because I watched a sword stop moving on its own, and I would like one person in this room to tell me the truth, just once tonight, befor