"Is he dead?"
Valen asked it without realizing his voice had dropped.
Adam glanced back once, lips curling as he turned away. "I wish. He's just asleep."
He didn't stop walking.
The seven dukes stood where they were, frozen, staring at the place where Lionhead lay unmoving. The silence wasn't fear anymore. It was disbelief.
Ironcrest was the first to breathe again. He looked at Rebecca like he was seeing her for the first time. "So this is what the next generation looks like," he said quietly. "Surpassing monsters we thought untouchable."
Rebecca's eyes snapped to him.
The look alone made Ironcrest stiffen, instincts screaming even though his body hadn't moved. He swallowed and looked away.
Alex caught it. He let out a soft laugh and stepped beside Ironcrest, tapping his shoulder like they were old friends. "This isn't a fight you can understand," he said easily. "So go back to your empire problems. And before you ask—no. We're not helping."
