It stood.
Not fast. Not loud.
Just one long, grinding motion. Like stone remembering how to be a spine.
The Faceless Retainer's arms unfolded.
Not raised.
Not wide.
Just out enough to say, they shouldn't try him.
Merlin didn't move.
No one did.
Even Dion's usual sarcasm curled up and died in the back of his throat.
Mae stared straight ahead, face pale, fingers curled tight around the key like it was a promise.
Flint's hand still hovered near his coat.
That was the problem.
"Flint," Merlin said, voice low. Not commanding. Just… factual.
"Yeah?" Calm. Too calm.
"Move that hand and we die."
"Do we?"
"Yes."
The Faceless Retainer shifted one step forward.
It didn't walk.
It didn't lunge.
It just stepped.
And the room shrank.
System pinged.
[Trigger Threshold: 78%]
[Division Detected: Verbal Tension Escalating]
[Faceless Retainer entering Reactive Posture]
[The Huntress watches with narrowed eyes.]
[The Grin Beneath the Mask leans forward.]
