Chapter 164: Conditions
Alex reacted instantly—he was on his feet in an instant, fingers tightening around the hilt of his blade. The atmosphere in the room shifted, thickening with anticipation, the silence stretched taut like a drawn bowstring.
But then Aetheria’s voice slid through the air, smooth and calm as ever.
"But," she said, "I will compromise... if you do something for me."
Her tone was almost casual, but Alex knew better. There was steel behind those words. He stilled, the tension in his frame coiling inward as he listened.
"You’re asking me to bind myself," she continued, her gaze never leaving his, "and in doing so, bind every beast that calls this domain home. That’s not a small thing, Alex. That’s not just diplomacy—that’s shackling our very nature. So if I’m to do that... I want something of equal weight in return."
Alex’s jaw clenched slightly. Her words weren’t wrong. They had entered her sanctuary uninvited, set their terms on her table, and expected obedience.
He let out a slow breath and lowered himself back onto the carved feather chair. His voice came out low, roughened by reluctant understanding. "What do you want?"
Aetheria’s lips curled faintly—not quite a smile, but something sharper.
"Simple," she said, her eyes gleaming in the dim light. "I want Cassius to either sign the same contract I’m being forced to... or for you to kill him."
Her words hit the air like a blade striking stone—loud, final, and echoing.
Alex didn’t flinch. Deep down, he had anticipated this. She was too clever, too experienced, not to demand balance. By asking her to stand down, to tie her hands, they were handing the humans an open field. She wouldn’t allow that.