Veer's gaze lingered a moment longer before his tone shifted—warmer, but mockingly so.
"Second…" he said with a hint of playful edge, "I'm just going out for a little while."
With that, he leaned forward, brushing imaginary dust off his cousin's shoulder.
And then—his grip tightened.
Strong fingers closed around the fabric.
Not a friendly hold. Not angry, either. Just… final.
"Make sure," he murmured, lips close to his cousin's ear, "that Dad doesn't find out."
Then, with a swift shove, he pushed his cousin to the side—lightly, but firmly enough to make him stumble back toward the wall.
Before another word could be said, Veer's form dissolved.
Feathers erupted from his shoulders as his body twisted and shifted, bones cracking and stretching until a sleek vulture spread its wings, dark and fast.
In one clean motion, he launched himself out of the cave and into the burning light of day.
Against every warning.
Against every weakness.
