The vampires left the arena the moment it was done.
No goodbyes. No farewells. No lingering glances. The two sisters turned and walked into the tree line, their pale skin disappearing into the shadows like ghosts fading at dawn. Caelus paused for a moment, his red eyes fixed on Jason. There was something in that gaze—curiosity, maybe, or warning—but he said nothing.
Then he was gone.
Jason watched them leave. "Friendly bunch."
Kaelen grunted. "Vampires are never friendly. They're just... tolerant."
"They tolerated us?" Jason questioned.
"Barely." Kaelen responded with a grunt.
The reptile's yellow eyes drifted to the ant king. The creature stood at Jason's side, small and unassuming, his red chitin gleaming in the fading light. His black and gold eyes blinked slowly. His mandibles clicked once, twice.
Kaelen had no idea what to make of it.
"He killed the queen," Kaelen said. It wasn't a question.
"He did," Jason replied.
