The silence that followed Ryker's bold declaration was razor thin. A silence that cut. That waited to be broken by steel or fire.
Chancellor Vael stood perfectly still, her amber eyes fixed on Ryker as though dissecting him down to his soul.
Then,
"Name him," she said. Her voice was quiet. Too quiet.
Ryker's heart pounded in his chest. But his voice remained calm.
"Councilman Kael Thorne."
At that moment,
Time didn't stop but it strained. The weight of that name lingered in the air like poison.
Her expression didn't change.
But something dangerous pulsed beneath her skin.
"And why…," she asked softly,
"Why should I believe a word you say?"
"You shouldn't," Ryker said, meeting her gaze without flinching. "You can kill me right now if you want. Erase me before I speak another word."
A tense pause.
Then,
The pressure lifted.
Whooom…!!
Chancellor Vael exhaled and the suffocating aura backed away like a tide.
