The city was quiet now. Too quiet. The dust hung thick in the air, sticking to their clothes and hair. Broken glass glimmered in the moonlight, sharp fragments scattered across the streets.
Jovian's chest rose and fell. Each breath was deliberate. Vital Mirage hovered close, its presence humming softly, as if urging him to stay alert. Every instinct told him to relax, but he couldn't. Not yet.
Voss stood across the square. He wasn't moving, but his aura filled the space. Dominion pulsed faintly, lines of invisible energy stretching outward. It was subtle, almost unnoticeable—but everyone felt it.
Lucien adjusted his stance, Midnight Sontana flickering in and out of visibility. Alaric and Golden Cavalier reinforced the center, their shields ready. Iggy's ears twitched. He sniffed at the air, sensing traces of movement and energy that the humans could barely notice.
"…He's planning something," Lucien murmured.
Jovian nodded. "And we have to be ready before it starts."
The silence stretched. Too many seconds passed without action. Every heartbeat was a countdown. Every glance could reveal danger.
Voss shifted slightly. A single movement, almost imperceptible. But it carried weight. Jovian felt a shiver run down his spine.
Vital Mirage pulsed, responding instinctively. They were ready. They had to be.
Because even in retreat, Voss was dangerous.