Ice raced along the chain, freezing links brittle and cracking the embedded hooks. She wrenched free and rolled aside as the housekeeper yanked the chain back with startling strength, metal singing through the air.
LeBrand's illusions collapsed inward, trying to bury her under a swarm of mirrored Lunas. She ignored them completely, eyes fixed on the housekeeper instead.
Caretakers lived by routine. Routines could be baited.
Luna stepped deliberately into the path of the next chain strike—then vanished in a flicker of shadow.
"Umbra transitus."
She reappeared directly behind the woman, staff already raised and glowing.
"Glacies cordis."
Frost erupted from the housekeeper's back, surging inward through ribs and spine, locking the heart in a single, merciless pulse. The woman stiffened, breath clouding white in the cold air, then pitched forward without a word, chain clattering to the marble.
LeBrand screamed—a raw, furious sound.
