When Jake leaned over to admire his handiwork, a stinging pain made him drop hard to his knees. Clutching his skull with both hands, he convulsed on the floor despite his iron will.
Wyatt, who had just finished disposing of the last Undeads summoned, stared at him with a peculiar expression but was not overly concerned. Still, it was fortunate that they were on the same side, for if the Vampire had any ill intentions towards him he could easily have taken his life.
Momentarily slipping in and out of consciousness, Jake's tight control over his Aether of Vitality and his cells loosened completely, much like a horse being let go of its reins. The Words of Power etched into his flesh instantly dissolved.
It was only after the Runes were completely erased that Jake finally stopped convulsing like an epileptic. Knowing that he would fall into a deep, restorative sleep if he succumbed to temptation, he gritted his teeth and gathered what was left of his willpower to get up with a grunt.
