She was right about isolation being dangerous. Right about needing someone who understood the full truth of what he was becoming. Right about the value of alliance between shadow wielders.
And yet, some part of him – the part not muted by corruption – recognized this was also manipulation. Expertly done, genuine in its own way, but still strategic positioning designed to create dependency and connection.
Just like he'd done with Elara at the beginning. The orchestrated rescue, the carefully crafted vulnerability, the strategic honesty designed to build trust.
Lyristae was doing the same thing to him. Using understanding and shared experience to create bonds that would be difficult to break once established.
The parallel was almost amusing. The manipulator being manipulated by someone using his own techniques.
Except she wasn't lying. She did have shadow magic. She did understand the corruption. She was offering genuine alliance alongside the strategic positioning.
