Zarek's shadow shook and the outline of a hawk took form before vanishing. He only gave it a glance before he continued onward.
Technically, he wasn't supposed to be able to do this until he awakened the Ashen Gate Talent, but as he had said, his understanding of the Ash Demon path was far deeper than anyone else.
Well, he also hadn't run into any other Ash Demons on Earth, so he didn't really have much competition until now. Though, he also wasn't sure how seriously Jiade planned to take the Ash Demon path, or if he was just taking it on in order to block Zarek.
As far as Zarek knew, though, Jiade shouldn't be aware of the progression from Skill to Talent. But after what had happened with Suki and Priya, he wasn't confident enough to claim that for certain.
He had been outmaneuvered once in this game, and there was no guarantee that he wouldn't suffer the same again. He had to open himself more, otherwise it wouldn't just be he who suffered, but those around him.
