The arrow struck it... and suddenly vanished.
Kyle blinked.
The arrow was gone.
One moment it was there — inches from his face, death wrapped in shadow. The next moment... nothing.
His heart pounded against his ribs.
The arrow touched the droplet and vanished. There was no explosion, no sound. It just... swallowed.
The droplet fell to the ground and sizzled on the stone, leaving a small black scorch mark.
Kyle's breathing was ragged. He tried to move his hands again. Nothing. His right shoulder was numb from Eryas's arrow. His left arm was still useless from earlier. He couldn't even push himself off the ground.
`What the hell just happened?`
Ceres had frozen mid-step. Her sword was raised, but she wasn't swinging. Her red eyes were locked on the spot where the droplet had been.
Eryas lowered his bow. His silver eyes were wide. Not with fear — with recognition.
"That's..." he whispered.
