The book didn’t level a response. What Annika said must not have been what it was looking for. Or perhaps its sense of awareness didn’t extend to that… Or perhaps it could only convey so much context. Who could say. The small sword icon pulsed again. And then, with no warning whatsoever, it slammed shut with the crack of paper against paper that was reminiscent of a gunshot.

It floated upwards roughly a foot. The imagery on the front was practically [i]ablaze[/i] with golden energy. Flickering, transparent images of swords materialized around it, blades pointed outwards and slowly rotating like spokes on a wheel. 

The cat’s ears went flat.

[color=6644ff]”Annika?”[/color]

At the far end of the hallway, her father stood there. He saw the golden glow and seemed paralyzed.

There was an unfamiliar look on his face. It wasn’t that usual, unflappable look of confidence he had. It wasn’t the tired, warm smile that he showed her when she tried her best. It wasn’t the look of mischief that usually came before one of his grand feats of risk and magical skill.

No, that expression was [i]shock.[/i] And then it became anger. 

He wasn’t even looking at her, though.

[color=6644ff]”…If you even [i]dare-“[/i][/color]

[i]Fwoom.[/i]

Light flashed through the gloomy hallway, and in the blink of an eye, Jack had shifted. His upper body tilted backwards, and his hands clapped around the book’s attempt at killing him. One of the glowing swords, the blade barely an inch away from his face. Shadows bloomed between his fingers, and the entire thing was shunted away. 

[color=6644ff][i]”Get away from my daughter!”[/i][/color]

The glowed brighter until it threatened to blind.

Jack [i]charged.[/i]

The rest of its swords launched out and steered mid-air, all aimed at his body. His face, his heart, his magic hand. But he was faster. His arms went out wide and black smoke curled around him.

Just before they could reach him, he embraced Annika and they were both subsumed by darkness.

They reappeared on the stone path that led to the front door of the house, inside the black iron fence. Jack placed her down gently, one arm still around her shoulders.

[color=6644ff]”Did it hurt you?”[/color] He asked.

He hadn’t had such a distraught expression on his face in years.