Gerald’s hands twitched against his knees as he sat rigid in the chair, the weight of Marcus’s presence pressing down on him.
He dared not move too suddenly, dared not even shift his gaze away from the man who sat across from him, sipping his drink as though they were discussing ordinary business. Gerald’s throat felt dry, his voice thin and hesitant when he finally asked,
“W...what do you need me for?”
Marcus leaned back, every inch of him poised with the confidence of someone who believed the world already belonged to him. His ring glinted in the dim light as he swirled his glass lazily.
“What do I need you for?” Marcus repeated softly, as though savoring the words. Then his smirk deepened. “You, Gerald, are not as useless as you think. You were an elder of Blood Crescent once. That
