If the Dukes were terrified, the others waiting in the garden went well beyond that. The aura of an ancient is one of pure predatory power, but most species don't feel it as a danger to the body. Instead, to most species it feels like a threat to or suppression of their life force. Only the higher beings, the Seraphim, Greater Demons and most powerful of Fae and Dragons can be even remotely comfortable under its influence.
It didn't help that Cain hasn't learned to control his mental voice and simply broadcasted it to everyone in the courtyard. The applicants and the Nobles running the event were all left in a state of confusion at what just happened, which inevitably led to gossip.
