Auren's dry chuckle cut through the air.
"Ha ha. Your jokes stopped being funny years ago, old hag."
Asenya's face remained stone-cold, her expression unreadable. Auren's laughter died in his throat.
"Wait. You're serious?"
A single nod from Asenya confirmed it.
"You're telling me these flames have been feeding on our souls? How does that even work?"
His voice cracked on the last word.
Asenya tilted her head back in exasperation before fixing them both with a weary look.
"Let me guess — you two were too busy marveling at the sorcery here? Glyph sorcery may be ancient and beautiful, but that beauty comes at a price. The most dangerous sorcery always does."
She paused and exhaled sharply.
"Look. This girl's life is hanging by a thread. Do you want to stand here while I explain why you both are dying, or do you want to save your wife?"
Auren frowned.
"She's not—"
"Boy, just follow me."
