Evie faced Regard. "Yes. And my answer is no . . . You can't have Meriyaah's items."
The wind passed between them, cold and silent, as if even the valley itself was holding its breath.
". . ."
For a long moment, nothing happened.
Ren and Evie both tensed, their fingers hovering close to their weapons. They expected it. The sudden shift. The system warning. The sharp pull of danger that always came when negotiations failed.
They waited for anger.
They waited for the familiar metallic chime of the [ENGAGE] button flashing into existence.
But instead—
Regard exhaled slowly.
His shoulders lowered just a fraction, and the sharp edge in his eyes dulled, replaced by something calmer. Something heavier. He brought one hand up to his face, rubbing his brow as if nursing a long-standing headache.
Ren frowned. This wasn't right.
Regard briefly closed his eyes and took a deep breath, steady and controlled. When he opened them again, his voice was quiet.
