The mercury hand shot forward, elongating unnaturally as it reached for Jasmine.
Arthur moved instantly, his spatial aura flaring as he intercepted the guardian's grasp.
"Wait. Calm down. You still haven't heard who she is."
"It doesn't matter—"
"She's Regulus's daughter."
The words hit the mercury like a punch to the face.
The guardian froze mid-motion, its liquid form shuddering as if struck by lightning. In the blink of an eye, it flowed across the space between them, materialising directly in front of Jasmine with movements too quick to follow.
So fast...
"Give me your blood," the being commanded, its voice carrying new urgency.
Jasmine instinctively stepped back, but Arthur's presence beside her provided comfort. The guardian's request wasn't threatening—it was verification.
He needs to confirm what Arthur claimed.
"Why do you need—"
