The door exploded inward.
Ling Mei hung suspended in a cage of black energy, her wrists raw from struggle. The collar around her neck pulsed with the same vile light as Bai Zhan's arm.
"T-Tian?" Her voice was hoarse.
A figure stepped from the shadows—the bandit chief, his face a ruin of scar tissue. "Touching reunion." He raised a hand. The collar digging into her tender skin like a snake's fangs.
Ling Mei screamed.
Ling Tian shook with anger, eyes red like a cornered beast.
Dragonfire Wrath erupted uncontrolled, torching the room. The chief laughed—until Qing'er's sword severed his hand at the wrist.
The collar didn't loosen.
"It feeds on pain," gasped Ling Mei. "Kill me. Please."
The Crimson Witch's voice slithered through the smoke:
"Or make a deal."