Emma, who had already stepped forward, murmured under her breath, genuine surprise slipping into her voice.
"Oh. Unexpected. I thought they'd at least try to negotiate."
I didn't look away from the men surrounding us.
"You don't understand," I replied calmly. "In places like this, taking the initiative is everything."
She let out a small sigh.
"…As always, I never know what reckless thing you'll do next."
Almost on cue, the tension snapped.
We drew our weapons in unison.
"The men are using magic!"
"Leave the dangerous ones for later—aim for the women first!"
"That one's a servant boy! If we grab the lady he's attending, he'll fold!"
Their voices overlapped in crude coordination. They were already imagining leverage, already counting us as captives.
What they failed to understand—
These women weren't ornaments raised behind garden walls.
A sleek, dark line slid free from Emma's embrace, coiling through the air like a living thing.
Her eyes sharpened.
