“Say what you came to say.” Tarek’s voice was still rough, but the murderous edge had faded. “I will keep him… quiet.”
She turned to face the crowd, which had drawn closer during the confrontation. She saw fear on some faces, yes, but alsocuriosity. Interest. And on a few—the baker, the blacksmith’s wife, the elderly widow—something that looked like pleasure.
“I have an announcement to make,” she said, her voice clear and strong. “As some of you may know, I’ve been living in the mountains these past weeks with my sister and my mate.” She let the word settle, watching the reactions ripple through the crowd. “During that time, I’ve learned something important. The Vultor aren’t our enemies. They never were, not really. The violence between our peoples has been born of misunderstanding and fear, fed by those who profit from keeping us divided.”
Gerhard made a strangled sound of protest, but Tarek’s hand on his shoulder silenced him.
“A new trade route is being established,” she continued. “A pass through the mountains, negotiated in cooperation with the Vultor pack that lives on the other side. Anyone who wishes to use it will be able to do so freely, without paying the commissions that have been demanded by…” She paused, letting her gaze rest on Gerhard’s ashen face. “Certain parties.”
The whispers started again, but this time they were excited. The merchants in the crowd were already doing the math, figuring out how much they could save, how much more they could earn.
“This is absurd,” Gerhard spat, finally finding his voice. He took three quick steps away from Tarek, though he was careful to keep an eye on him. “You expect these people to trust a pack of animals? To do business with creatures who would tear out their throats as soon as look at them?”
“I expect them to trust their own eyes,” she said calmly. “And their own judgment.”
“You’re a fool. A stupid, deluded girl who’s been bewitched by?—”
“Careful.” Tarek’s voice was soft, almost pleasant, but his eyes were still glowing. “My restraint has limits.”
Gerhard’s mouth twisted into an ugly sneer. “What are you going to do? Kill me in front of the entire village? You’re only one beast. You can threaten all you want, but?—”
“He’s not alone.”
The voice came from behind them, deep and resonant, carrying an authority that made the crowd part like water before a ship’s prow.
Seren stepped into the square with the easy grace of a predator who knew he had nothing to fear. He was taller than Tarek, broader, his slate-grey skin and glowing amber eyes marking him unmistakably as Vultor. Silver streaked his dark hair, pulled back from a face that was stern and handsome in equal measure.
Behind him came Korrin, his cold amber gaze sweeping the crowd. And behind Korrin were six more Vultor, spreading out to flank their alpha with the smooth coordination of a pack that had hunted together for years.
The village went deathly quiet.
“I am Seren,” the alpha said calmly, his voice carrying without apparent effort. “Alpha of the mountain pack. I came to speak with the village council.”
No one moved. No one spoke. The tension in the air was thick enough to choke on.
Then, slowly, John Cotton stepped forward. He was one of the senior council members, a thin, nervous man with apermanently worried expression, and he kept shooting quick glances at Gerhard.
“I… we…” He swallowed hard. “What do you want?”
“Simply to talk.” Seren’s expression remained neutral, but there was something almost gentle in his voice. “Nothing more. I believe there are opportunities for cooperation between our peoples, arrangements that would benefit us all. I wish to discuss them.”
“This is madness,” Gerhard hissed. He’d recovered some of his composure, though his face was still pale and his hands were shaking. “You can’t seriously be considering?—”
“Shut up.”
The words came from the blacksmith, a burly man with arms like tree trunks and a reputation for plain speaking. He pushed his way to the front of the crowd, his wife at his side.
“You’ve been bleeding this village dry for years, Gerhard. Taking your cut of every transaction, raising fees whenever it suits you, using that pass like it’s your personal property.” He spat on the ground. “If these Vultor are offering a better deal, I’m willing to listen.”
A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd. Others nodded—the baker, the tanner, the woman who ran the tavern. People she’d known her whole life, finally finding the courage to speak against the man who’d controlled them for so long.
Gerhard’s face contorted with rage. “You fools. You pathetic, shortsighted?—”
“Enough.” Seren’s voice cut through the noise like a blade. He hadn’t moved, hadn’t raised his hand, but suddenly everyonewas looking at him. “This is not the time for petty grievances. I came to speak with your council. Will you hear me?”
John Cotton hesitated, his eyes flicking to Gerhard one last time. But something had shifted in the crowd, the balance tipping as power flowed from one side to the other like water seeking its level. And when he finally spoke, his voice was steadier than she had ever heard it.
“We will hear you,” he said. “Follow me to the council hall.”
