The figure moved toward Julian without the slightest hesitation.
That was the first thing that made the difference clear.
He did not test the distance between himself and Lucian. He did not angle his approach toward the stronger threat in front of him. He chose Julian directly, and he chose him with the kind of certainty that made the intention impossible to mistake.
Lucian moved at once.
Julian barely saw the shift. One second Lucian stood in front of him, and the next he had already crossed the space between them, intercepting the attack before it reached its intended line. The collision was fast and controlled, the impact sharp enough to force the figure sideways, but not enough to stop him completely.
That was new.
Most of the others had fallen apart under Lucian's first movement. This one adjusted.
