Arthur let the blue lantern slip from his fingers, guiding it gently to rest upon the table. "Do not touch it." He warned, his voice calm. "The flame within devours. Skin, cloth, steel, it does not discriminate. This lantern's heart burns only once, for no hand can command such fire and live."
He let the words settle, then exhaled, the weight of the deal lifting from the air like the tide receding. His cyan eyes flicked to where Zephyra had stood earlier, now absent. "She was unaware." He stated simply. "I laid the path that led you to the auction house. I knew you would suspect my arrival." A pause, then a faint nod, as if acknowledging an unspoken understanding. "Now you have your answer."
He then pointed at the beastcore in the blue lantern. "Unlike the Whisperer, these runes can be read, if you have anyone skilled enough. They will barely tell you how the fire isn't dying and kept at bay."
