The words hung frozen in the heavy, alcohol-scented air between them. Seven swallowed hard, a sudden, involuntary dry lump forming in her throat. The sheer weight of the stranger’s voice rippled across her skin, sending an icy shiver straight down her spine. It wasn’t just deep; it possessed an innate, dark authority that left her temporarily paralyzed. For a split second, the quick-witted, highly trained apprentice vanished, leaving only a startled young woman trying to process the absolute audacity of his accusation. Her mind raced, grasping for a defensive comeback, but the heat crawling up her neck threatened to betray her. She didn't know what to say. Realizing that any verbal retaliation might only make her look guiltier or more flustered, she tightly compressed her lips. She chose the refuge of silence rather than defending herself and risking further embarrassment under his piercing, emerald gaze."I'll go ahead, Sev. We're up next," Dos suddenly interjected, stepping between
Last Updated : 2026-06-01 Read more