I made a mistake—a big one.
One that just cost me my heart. Not that I'm dead, though. At least not for the next ten seconds.
"Aargh!"
The scream of pain dragged my attention, even as I lay flat on the ground, my face pressed into the grass. This time, to avoid another attack and fool the one who'd just killed me, I only dared a glance.
And I saw her.
A small black cat—Ashmira—trembling on the floor, black energy spiraling around her like a noose tightening by the second.
It was death.
Death meant for me, but redirected to Ashmira because of the ability I'd gained from her.
> [Activating Undying Nexus: A permanent tether between the Host and the undead spouse. If either is "killed," the other absorbs part of the damage and temporarily suppresses death for 10 seconds.]
Thanks to that ability, I was still... somewhat alive.
"KYLE!"
