Paralysis

“For such a brutal crime against Nezumi-Katsuro, I can offer no forgiveness.”

The naginata rose, a single drop of Baltrice’s blood glistening along its edge.

And there it stayed. Heartbeats passed, then long seconds, and Baltrice could only wait, looking up at her would be executioner. What was he waiting for?

Only then did she notice the violent quiver in the rat-king’s arms. Turning, she saw Jace in the doorway, one hand raised toward Bonetooth, fingers clenched in a grasp that was not quite a true fist.

***

Agents of Artifice, Chapter 14