Damien von Crestia's hand, raised in favor of a chance, wasn't an act of mercy.
It was a business decision. Pure and simple.
And in this amphitheater, surrounded by the most powerful predators in the world, a business decision was the only kind of mercy they could have hoped for.
A deep sigh of relief went through Dante's team. Shoulders relaxed slightly. Tension eased just a fraction.
The execution had been stayed. For now.
The game was still on.
The Elf Queen, Elyndra, was the first to speak. Her voice was calm. Musical. Like water flowing over stones. Officially sealing the vote's outcome.
"Then that's settled."
She glided to the edge of her platform. Moved with impossible grace. Her forest-green eyes, full of ancient, amused wisdom that had seen empires rise and fall, fixed on Dante.
"Now we can move to the good part."
