Laura's breath hitched as an unnatural weight pressed against her chest. Her mana… it was locked away. It wasn't like having an empty reservoir—it was like it didn't exist at all. She turned sharply to Kael. "What about the wolf?"
Kael flexed his fingers, feeling for the familiar, distant tether that connected him to Nyx through the tattoo. There was nothing. His connection was cut clean. He met Laura's gaze and shook his head.
"Looks like we're completely at their mercy," he muttered.
The taller intruder cracked her knuckles. "That's right. Both of you are at our mercy. Because of the noise cancellation spell around the room, you wouldn't be able to call for help."
Laura exhaled sharply, running a hand through her tousled dark hair. She assessed the situation quickly—her magic was sealed, Kael's spectral wolf was out of the picture, and they were stark naked beneath the bedsheet. Fighting in this condition would be reckless.
