To say Ford was terrified would be an understatement. Trace's powers seemed now beyond compare, although Denholm was clearly ready to match his brute force with attacks of perception.
If Trace ended this conversation still believing that Ford was Denholm's accomplice, the younger man's life could be snuffed out in an instant.
"What do you mean, you take and leave?" Trace blinked in momentary confusion.
The wight's mouth pulled slightly down at the corners, and its snowy pupils constricted. The magic fist gripping Denholm dissipated, as did the strange sensations Ford had been battling since he came into the cave. Even the heat seemed more bearable.
It was… oddly peaceful, if disconcerting.
Seth, finally shaking free from his state of shock, rushed forward and spun Mia towards him, looking her over head to toe. Ford stepped back warily, drawing a brief but intense glare that made Ford consider taking his chances with the dragons.
Instead of a cliffhanger, I guess this is a Trace-hanger...