Matheus grunted, unable to move or do anything to try and absorb the shock. That was not what he expected to happen, although perhaps he should have given it more serious consideration. Eli was definitely not in the place to be reasoned with right now and that made this all the more dangerous. He knew there was no love lost between them for the insistence that Eli would make the best leader for all the Aspects, but this incident had apparently tipped him over from unfriendly to hostile in Eli's addled mind.

"Not worried about you killing me," he said slowly. This time, anyway. He had to stop and take some breaths before he could continue, with Lacey beginning to nose about his knees and chest in response to the electricity in the air and his breathing patterns. She was a smart dog, but there was no way she could figure out what was happening here. "You've got me where you want me, Eli. Just take the damn key."