Alex Dawnsblade stood between Mariabel's broken form and the hooded figure who'd tried to seal her soul, his golden blade blazing with radiance that pushed back the darkness. Divine energy pulsed from his body in waves, the Goddess's blessing made manifest through her chosen champion.
Gunn studied him with professional detachment, curved blade held in ready position as he recalculated the tactical situation. The Chosen of Light was an unexpected variable, someone who shouldn't have been in the capital yet according to the Syndicate's intelligence.
"Walk away," Gunn said simply.
Alex said nothing, his blue eyes fixed on Gunn with fury that transcended words. He'd seen Raze's body lying motionless nearby, seen the unnatural stillness that spoke to something worse than death. He'd seen Mariabel's tears and broken ribs, seen the systematic cruelty this monster had inflicted.
His grip tightened on his sword, divine light intensifying until it hurt to look at directly.
