CHAPTER EIGHTY ONE - Beneath The Surface Of Reality

As darkness began to close in, Lucas heard his father's voice in his mind—a training session from years ago: "When you have no options left, create one." The memory cut through the encroaching oblivion like a shaft of light. With the last of his strength, Lucas brought his hands up between Victor's arms and outward, breaking the choke hold just enough to gasp a single breath. Then, before Victor could readjust, Lucas lunged forward. His teeth closed around the moonstone amulet, ripping it from the chain around Victor's neck. The synthetic links of the chain snapped under the sudden pressure. The moonstone, warm and pulsing with stolen power, came free in Lucas's mouth. He tasted blood—his own or Victor's, he couldn't tell—as he jerked his head away, the amulet clenched between his teeth. "No!" Victor screamed, releasing Lucas to grab for the amulet. The sudden freedom from the chokehold sent Lucas staggering forward, gulping in precious air through his abused throat. His vision sw