Tanith leaped. The Black Cleaver spun at the last moment, deflected her blade, but as Tanith landed she sprang again, twisted in mid-air and caught him with a kick. At the same time, China tapped her chest with both index fingers and a stream of energy burst from her sternum. It hit the Cleaver square in the back and he went staggering to his knees.
The energy stream cut off and China sagged, suddenly very pale. Trails of smoke rose from the Cleaver’s coat as he stood. He turned to them, the scythe twirling in his hands.