"Right."
The word came out simply, without any weight, as if Carter had just informed them that there was a bend ahead on the path, and not a territory teeming with predators ready to react to the slightest provocation. Kael maintained the same walking pace, hands in his pockets, relaxed posture, his gaze wandering between the surroundings and the backs of the group ahead, completely oblivious to the growing tension that was beginning to build around them.
"I kill if you get in my way."
He finished, in the same neutral tone, as if he were merely clarifying a basic rule of coexistence.
The silence that followed was not just uncomfortable—it was heavy. Not because the phrase was unexpected, but because it was uttered with an absurd naturalness too unignored. No trace of provocation, no attempt at intimidation… just a fact.
The vampires slowed down almost imperceptibly.
Not enough to stop.
But enough for the impact of those words to reach them.
