Ego blinked once. Then, against all odds, he laughed.
It wasn't the cold, polite one like earlier, but it was a deep and startling laugh that filled the air like thunder before a summer storm. The sound cracked through the tension, made the chandeliers hum faintly, and left everyone in the room staring like they'd just witnessed an act of divine heresy.
Samael straightened, eyebrows lifting. Connor's grin faltered, unsure if he should be amused or terrified. Even Victor turned slightly, eyes narrowing with the quiet disbelief of a man who hadn't heard that sound in decades.
"You have teeth," Ego said at last, his voice warm but edged with authority. "Good. He needed someone who doesn't flinch when he breathes." He gestured vaguely toward Victor without taking his eyes off Elias. "My son commands fear, not balance. Finally, someone reminds him he's not infallible."
"I do that daily," Elias muttered before he could stop himself.
