Only the sound of a metallic cup gently hitting the table could be heard as Leonda placed one in front of each person present.
Each of them held a full vial of deep blue liquid, including the Duke. Alex shook the liquid in her vial, but not even a drop left the container; a tight layer of surface tension seemed to form above it, preventing any spilling. Unlike Alex, who showed obvious hesitation, everyone else had poured the ominous liquid into their tiny cups and swallowed every last drop.
Alex could clearly see that each potion contained her corruption, yet everyone drank it with complete composure—even the Duke—which disconcerted her even more. Books had stated clearly that corruption, even of the weakest kind, was a terrible power that clung to the life of its victim until they took their last breath. It was said to far surpass curses in its nasty ability to forever erode the host, and unlike curses, there was no potion or ritual to completely remove it—only suppress it.
