Rory stood motionless, her pulse thrumming in her ears as Yuel's request warning echoed through her thoughts. He had spoken so calmly about it—only a single drop of blood each day, nothing severe, nothing that would truly harm her. And yet, despite his reassurance, unease lingered like a shadow at the edge of her mind, refusing to be dismissed.
It was not the pain she feared.
It was the implication.
"Yuel," she said at last, breaking the silence, her voice cautious but steady. "You mentioned that Kather was the one who brought you back… that he entrusted me with taking care of you. When did that happen?" She frowned slightly. "I've never even seen him in person."
At the sound of Kather's name, something flickered across Yuel's face—an expression caught somewhere between concern and disbelief.
"He's actually—" he began.
Then, without warning, his strength abandoned him.
