At that moment, August activated the summoning circle again.
The room flashed. Smoke churned about the room, thick, black, and acrid.
The protective barrier of the summoning circle shattered, and August instinctively reached for the power of the binding stone.
No need, he realized as the smoke cleared within moments. Sen stood alone, unharmed.
But she was possessed.
Her green eyes had turned red.
A single, thick lock of her hair had turned white.
No other visible changes had taken place, but August could feel her presence in a way he couldn't earlier.
She felt like Ifrit to his senses, an explosively powerful presence that drowned out almost everything else near it.
Over the next minute, Ifrit's presence faded, as his power wasn't being actively used.
Sen met his eyes and smiled. August smiled back. She was still herself.
Then Sen tilted her head and wandered over to the chalk summoning circle.
She inspected the circle, mouthing things he couldn't make out.
