The demon soldiers charged.
Lucian moved first. His blades cut low, taking out the legs of the first two. They fell, snarling, but more came. Mason's gauntlets flared, heat bursting through the front line. Sera's crossbow bolts picked off the ones trying to flank. Derek's ghosts, brittle from the witch's attack, still managed to shove a soldier into the wall.
Cora phased past the chaos and ran for the prisoners.
Malachar didn't move from his throne of ice. He just watched, his pale eyes tracking Lucian.
"Valentine was right about you."
Lucian blocked a strike, spun, and drove his blade through a soldier's chest. "You talk to Valentine?"
"We exchange letters. He wants my allegiance. I want his territory." Malachar smiled. "Negotiations are ongoing."
Cora reached the platform. The prisoners were chained to a central pillar. She raised her sword to cut the bonds.
The ice witch appeared behind her.
