Daemon glared at Nyxtriel, fury in his eyes.
"Why did you stop me?"
"I apologize, my lord," she said quickly, bowing her head. "I just... didn't want them to punish you for killing him."
Before he could respond, a sharp voice cut through the tension.
"What the hell's going on here?! Who caused that explosion?!"
Captain Timothy stormed in, his boots echoing through the ruined cafeteria. His eyes scanned the destruction, the crumpled wall, the stunned prisoners. He stopped when he saw Daemon.
No one dared point. No one even moved.
Nyxtriel's heart sank. It was too late. They'd seen too much. They would punish her lord.
Then, a voice spoke up from the crowd.
"It was me."
A red-haired man stepped forward, flashing a grin full of sharp, shark-like teeth. A black mark ran across one eye, and a familiar energy hung around him.
Daemon's eyes narrowed.
Him.
The guy from Velmira. On the boat. The one who locked eyes with him like he was testing him.
