Aurianna's gaze hardened as she met his eyes. "So, are you here to stop me, or just to give me a warning?"
Batholem's expression turned serious. "Whatever it is you're planning, I'd strongly advise against going through with it."
Aurianna turned her attention to him, her voice low and challenging. "And why is that?"
Batholem's fists were clenched and he tried to hold in his trembling hands. For the first time, the cold gaze in Aurianna's eyes scared him. Taking a steadying breath, he spoke, "I don't want you to cross my sister. If you kill anyone she doesn't deem a criminal, she'll hunt you down herself. That's my warning."
Aurianna's lips curled into a soft, unsettling laugh. "Chi, chi, chi… lalalalala." She broke into a bright smile, her eyes glinting with something unreadable. "Don't worry, Batholem. Anyone who deals in slavery isn't even human in my eyes. But I'll keep your warning in mind." Her smile sharpened. "As long as they're criminals, I can kill them, right?"
