Lan Yi Garuda's question—"How long?"—landed like a heavy hammer in the silent chapel, instantly freezing the warm atmosphere.
Every eye in the room, as if pulled by an invisible string, snapped to focus on Su Yaoyao. The air was so thick with tension you could almost hear hearts pounding.
Su Yaoyao could clearly feel the muscles of Augustine and Bai Lian beside her go taut. They gripped her hands tightly, the warmth of their palms filled with endless worry, yet they tried to transfer their strength to her.
She took a deep breath. The sweet fragrance of roses still lingered in the air, but the cold, metallic scent of the interstellar visitor was like a sharp blade, brutally slashing through the beautiful atmosphere.
She lifted her head, meeting Garuda's eyes, which seemed capable of piercing right through to a person's soul. The pressure in his gaze felt as if it could dissect her very being.
