Beside Althea, Malakor went rigid. His face turned stony and cold as he stared at Preceptor Odette, and even his beast let out a low, vibrating growl that mirrored the fury it felt through its master's link. Malakor's hand found the back of its neck and pressed, steadying it — or steadying himself through it.
The power difference was something he clearly knew, even through the rage. There were two Preceptor-level figures within fifty meters of him right now. Whatever he was feeling, he kept it locked inside his chest and stood still.
Elias, for his part, barely reacted to Odette's statement. His gaze flicked over her black disc with a brief flash of recognition before settling on her face.
""Odette," he said, omitting her title. "I have a matter to settle. I did not expect to find you presiding over this outpost."
