With that, he bent down to retrieve the briefcase. As he straightened, he turned to leave but stopped just before stepping away. His gaze fell back on Lian, and this time it burned with an intensity that seemed to freeze her in place.
"Have I made myself clear?"
The air around him grew heavy, his mana flaring briefly. While it wasn't as violent as the last time they'd met, the pressure was enough to make her bodyguards break into a cold sweat. Lian's heart raced, but she held her ground, bowing her head lower.
"Crystal clear," she managed, her voice barely audible.
Spade lingered for a moment longer, the oppressive weight of his presence driving home his point. Then, without another word, he turned and strode out of the alleyway, the briefcase in hand.
The masked woman at his side followed, her gaze briefly flicking back to Lian before vanishing into the shadows alongside her master.
