Vexara vanished first.
She blinked through space to an open patch of ground in the distance. The two foreclaws that had just touched Ethan were already being invaded by white lightning, the current crawling in fast.
A red beam shot from behind her mask.
Hiss.
Without hesitation, Vexara severed both small claws at the roots.
The cut-off claws hit the ground, white lightning still snapping and dancing inside them. Almost immediately, metallic fluid poured from her shoulders and reshaped itself, molding into two complete mechanical claws to replace what she'd lost.
Vexara flexed the new claws once.
"This kid's pretty damn sneaky."
She turned her head toward the flame shield.
"Fine, then my guard can enjoy you first."
The burrowing cannon's strike skimmed past under Ethan's arm.
Luckily, most of his body was still inside Ignara's shield—only the hand he'd extended took the shock. Ethan yanked his arm back in time and retreated into the middle of the group.
