Gabriel froze, his brain moving on autopilot in that moment.
He hadn't sensed her at all. Not when he was extracting. Not even now, until she had chosen to reveal herself. For someone like him, who prided himself on awareness, the realization was shocking.
And… embarrassing.
More than that… this person had seen him openly use his Talent.
Of course, Gabriel's first instinct was to take her out—if she was even a person.
Because of her appearance, it was difficult to tell what she really was.
The woman's eyes met his for a brief moment. Cold. Curious.
Gabriel didn't speak, and neither did she.
Then, without a word, she turned.
Gabriel's instincts kicked in at once and he moved immediately.
"Stop!"
He stomped the ground with his newly increased strength.
BOOM!
The earth cracked beneath his weight as he shot forward, weaving through broken branches and corpses.
