There's a tinny noise in Merrick's head, signaling the start of a rapid downward spiral. With each hit he descends, tier after tier after tier, until the last vestiges of control are peeled away.

He's momentarily shoved aside, but rights himself quickly and punches Cade again. Visions of Beleth's bruised and beaten face tear across his mind. Her nose had been broken-- Cade's nose should be broken too. He pounds his fist into it ruthlessly.

There is no technique, no finesse anymore. There's just hit after hit after hit as Merrick tries to get the human underneath him to bleed as much as possible.