Aiden did not choose the open fight.
The ordered power rose in a tight, controlled pulse. He layered the incubus function over it—the same heavy dream-tide he had used on the bandit camp, but focused and smaller. The three demons staggered as the wave hit. Eyes glazed. Knees buckled. They dropped in sequence, bodies going limp against the dry grass of the ridge. No shouts. No drawn power of their own. Just sudden, deep sleep that would hold for hours.
Ressa's hand stayed on her blade until the last one stopped moving. "Dead?"
"Asleep. Deep enough." Aiden checked the approaches once more. The ridge was clear. No movement in the trees below. No distant calls. "We leave now. The city already has my scent in too many mouths. Staying draws the next ones faster."
