The air in the Citadel's command center shifted the moment the portal swirled open. Lucian stepped through first, his expression grim. Then came Kael, his immense, scaled form having to dip slightly to clear the doorway. The difference was jarring—the sleek, human technology of the Citadel framing a king from a realm of monsters.
Marc, who'd been leaning against a console, straightened up slowly. His eyes, hard and assessing, moved from his brother to the monster king and back. Vyn, standing near the main viewscreen, didn't move, but her serene expression tightened almost imperceptibly.
"Well now," Marc said, his voice a low rumble. "Look what followed you home." He crossed his arms. "Taking help from the ones who tried to turn this planet into a graveyard not too long ago. That's a choice."
Kael's crimson eyes glowed faintly, but he remained silent, letting Lucian handle it.
