Kael exchanged a glance with Valen, then crouched beside the prisoner.
"What's your name?"
The Leo-kin stared at him, suspicion warring with exhaustion. "What does it matter?"
"It matters to me." Kael's voice was steady, patient. "I need to call you something other than 'the prisoner.'"
A long silence stretched between them. Then, quietly, the captive said, "Doran. My name is Doran."
"Thank you, Doran." Kael settled onto his haunches, making no sudden movements. "I need to know what Lucien is planning. The vanguard—why did he send them? What was he hoping to achieve?"
Doran's lips pressed into a thin line.
For a moment, Kael thought he would refuse to speak. Then something seemed to break in Leo-kin's expression. It did not appear like he was surrendering, but something closer to resignation.
