Ethan held Liora's hand a moment longer than strictly necessary. The crimson glow faded from
between their fingers, leaving only the faint echo of power hanging in the charged silence.
He finally let go, rolling his sore shoulder and squinting at her. "So… teammates now, huh?"
Liora crossed her arms under the cloak he'd given her, chin tilting upward. "Don't get sentimental
about it, mortal. You killed me. I'm not exactly sending you a fruit basket."
Ethan snorted. "Please don't. I'd rather not find a severed head tucked under a pineapple."
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "I'm a vampire. I'd be more creative than that."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Anyway… this is the deal. You're part of my team now. You help
me with whatever comes next. And trust me—there's going to be a lot of 'next.' Monsters,
dungeons, corrupt nobles… you name it."
Liora's crimson eyes glimmered faintly in the dim dungeon light. "And in return?"
