Those blue-and-gold eyes lifted to meet his. A faint smile curved on the sorcerer's lips impossible to read, something between mockery and satisfaction.
"I will," he replied slowly, "but only because you fulfilled the condition. And because I won't let my clan vanish into nothing."
Demian clenched his fists, fighting the tightening in his chest that had been strangling him ever since Valerie collapsed.
"I don't care about your reasons," Demian said. "Just wake her. Now."
The young sorcerer exhaled deeply, as if weighing the cost of what he was about to do. Then he finally moved toward the tent where Valerie lay. As he passed Demian, he spoke softly so soft it was almost gentle, yet the threat beneath it was unmistakably cold:
"If you're lying, Duke… I'll make sure you learn what it feels like to lose everything."
Demian didn't respond. He simply followed, each heartbeat slamming against his ribs.
Because tonight, only one thing mattered:
