ELLIOTT POV
The moment he said it, Kol collapsed fully onto the ground and started writhing violently, his body jerking and twisting in agony like an invisible force was tearing him apart from the inside.
"What now?" Lance snorted. "First Eric. Now you. Give us a fucking break."
"Be sensitive, bro," Raphael snapped.
He stepped closer and reached out, but yanked his hand back with a sharp wince.
"He's burning," he hissed through clenched teeth.
His eyes widened as he stared at his own palm. It was covered in dark, ashen soot.
"What the hell?" I murmured, looking back at Kol. On the surface he looked perfectly fine — no visible burns, no charred skin. Just deathly pale, sweat-slicked, and in excruciating pain.
Raphael tried again. He gritted his teeth and reached for the fabric of Kol's hoodie instead of bare skin. The same reaction hit him. He growled in frustration and shot to his feet.
