Katerina let out a low laugh.
Her body remained tense from pain, the wound in her belly open and hot, but her expression changed. Her lips curved with new confidence while her free hand slid toward the inside of her pocket.
"I knew this could happen..." she murmured, almost to herself. "I didn't plan to use it on you."
Lucia didn't advance this time.
She stopped a few steps away, with blades still on guard. Her gaze descended toward Katerina's hand, and something in her posture tensed more clearly.
"What is that?"
Katerina raised her gaze and smiled.
There was tiredness in her eyes, but also firm determination, fixed in her expression.
"The way to bring you back," she responded. "The real you."
She took out the object.
A syringe.
