Nhodd doesn't bother to watch the woman, taking for granted that his fire will at a minimum distract her while he contends with her companion, and, preferably, will put an end to her efforts altogether. He does not see her dismissal of his aetheric fire as he turns to face Nick's attack, not knowing what trickery the mortal will try this time until the arc of blue light hits him.

At once electricity is coursing through him, and for a moment his joints lock as his muscles spasm in response to the painful false signals. He stumbles and his legs threaten to give out under him as his wings snap open painfully wide, feathers brushing the dirty concrete. Unexpected as the energy attack is, though, he knows what to do with it -- it is the wrong kind of energy, but he can make it the right kind, convert it to aether and feed it to his fire, and he does so, burning brighter than ever with fire that for a moment he cannot direct except outward.