Milo nodded slowly. "Yeah… just don't want to end up back in the hospital."
"You won't," Karl said firmly, glancing at Kaelan and Adrian. "Not while we're here."
Adrian flexed his injured arm, wincing but still standing tall. "Let's go. Before they change their minds."
****
"Her nails are nails or cutter??" Karl exclaimed, his eyes widening as he finally caught sight of Adrian's arm. The fabric of Adrian's robe had hidden the injury until now, but when he winced and rolled up his sleeve to check, the damage was clear. Four deep red gashes cut across his forearm, thin but sharp, like blades had grazed him instead of fingernails.
Karl leaned closer, his face scrunching in alarm. "Gods, it looks painful. That witch didn't just scratch you—she tried to slice your arm off!" His voice was louder than necessary, drawing stares from Milo and Julian.
