The emperor raised his hand, slow and deliberate, palm open toward them.
Leo didn't hesitate. He moved in front of Nina in a blink, his stance sharp, ready to block whatever spell or attack was coming.
"Stay behind me."
He muttered.
But Nina didn't listen.
She leaned slightly to the side, peering past her brother's shoulder. The emperor stood still, his long white robes untouched by the chaos around them, the light from the high windows illuminating his serene expression. His hand remained outstretched.
He wasn't chanting. He wasn't glowing. He wasn't armed.
He was just looking at her.
Nina froze. Something deep in her chest clenched. Her heart thudded once—loud and slow. Her hand twitched at her side.
A part of her—primitive, instinctual—urged her to go to him. To take that hand. To stop running.
[Don't.]
Her Patron's voice cracked like thunder in her head.
She gasped, startled, and jerked slightly forward anyway.
