Agony exploded in Merlin's neck.
A sharp, piercing heat, like molten iron searing through his veins.
His body froze. His limbs twitched violently as something unnatural crawled through his bloodstream—thick, foreign magic latching onto his mana circuits like a parasite.
His breath hitched. 'He's—draining—!'
The vampire sighed, eyes fluttering half-shut in bliss. "Delicious," it murmured against his skin. "I should savor this."
Merlin's vision blurred.
His mana—his strength—was being ripped away by the second.
If he didn't break free now, he was dead.
He forced his trembling fingers to move.
His grip tightened around Kyrix.
'Come on—COME ON—'
A surge of wind magic erupted around him—
Merlin twisted—
And rammed the pommel of his rapier into the vampire's ribs with all his strength.
CRACK.