The Shield

Mai's P.O.V.

The room felt hot—too hot, like someone had set the entire place on fire. The tension crackled, raw and strangling. My papa's growl still echoed in my ears, a low, thunderous sound laced with unspoken fury.

Eldur was still on his knees, unmoving, his head bowed, his gaze locked onto the floor as if the very foundation beneath him had shattered.

And maybe it had.

My parents, Ollie, Elizabeth and aunt Juliette were all speechless like they weren't even in the room.

The goddess, calm and unshaken, turned her piercing gaze to my papa. "Calm yourself, dear Adrian," she commanded, her voice ringing with divine authority. It wasn't loud, but it carried the kind of power that made the very air tremble. "You must listen before you pass judgment."

Papa's jaw clenched so hard I thought his teeth might hurt. His fists curled tight at his sides, his entire body vibrating with barely contained rage. But he didn't speak.