The dagger in her hand was sharper than expected. Even the tough spider silk parted easily beneath its edge.
But the instant she broke free, Shalti's first instinct was not to escape the web. Instead, she drove her dagger toward the back of Tang's neck—
Alertness blared, urging Tang to dodge sideways.
But Shalti was far faster. Though Tang reacted almost the moment she struck, he could not avoid a cut across his left shoulder.
A tingling numbness spread through every inch of his skin, like standing up after two hours on the toilet to find his entire body buzzing with electricity.
It was spider venom on the dagger, a weapon Lolth had given these gladiators to inflict the greatest possible pain.
But to Lolth's surprise, the venom did not paralyze Tang.
The poison resistance granted by Plague Antibodies kept him safe from its effects for now.
He hurriedly looked back, only to find that Shalti had no intention of stopping. No one could tell what she was thinking from her calm face. They could only see the pink glow in her eyes.
Charm? Was it Charm Person or Command?
"Dispel Magic!"
Tang instinctively plucked the strings. For an instant, the notes seemed to take form, sending out a ring of ripples. But even as they swept over Shalti, she kept her grip on the dagger, which suddenly flared with green light.
"Capturing Strike."
Lolth would not use such a low-level spell. Or perhaps Tang simply lacked the power to break a god's hold—
She was determined to watch him and Shalti fight.
Until agony filled their hearts and one died by the other's blade.
Tang sensed the goddess sneering in the shadows. But with Alertness sounding, he focused only on the dagger thrusting toward him.
Watch.
After several hard-won