The moment froze in time, and my chest tightened as if all the air had been sucked from the alleyway. The masked man before me was poised to strike, his blade gleaming in the faint light filtering between the buildings.
My hands trembled, still faintly glowing with the remnants of my healing magic. The realization hit me like a thunderclap: there was no healing magic for this. No gentle spell could save me from what had to be done.
Thalindra's words echoed in my head: "Kill him."
I couldn't move. My legs felt like they were sinking into the ground, roots of fear anchoring me to the spot. My mind raced, a whirlwind of thoughts. I can't do this. I've never done this. This isn't who I am. But if I don't…
My eyes darted to Thalindra, her presence both a beacon and a storm. Her face was set like stone, her gaze unyielding.