Sonya's shoulders jerked beneath Simon's hands.
"Ngh!"
Her fingers dug into her knees. Another crack came from her ribs, and she suddenly bent forward, coughing blood toward him.
The Seed of Pride stirred.
Simon caught the blood before it reached his face and sent it spilling onto the stone beside them. At the same time, his Will pressed around her body, stopping her from throwing herself against him.
He left her enough room to tremble and shift. Holding her completely still while her bones changed would only make things worse.
"Keep circulating your demonic energy. Don't stop."
Sonya dragged in a breath.
Her energy faltered, then resumed its course.
The rough patches along her arms began spreading. Dark-brown ridges rose beneath the skin, joining across her elbows and the backs of her hands. Her shoulders broadened slightly.
Simon felt the change through his palms.
The body beneath them was becoming harder.
