"Okay," Adrian said, his voice low but dangerous, his eyes narrowing as he studied the man. "Let's have a chat now, shall we?"
The man was trembling but he managed to keep his fear in check, replacing it with arrogance.
"You look like you're ready for another round," the village head spat in defiance. His eyes, bloodshot and full of malice, locked with Adrian's. "I'll give you this, warrior—you fought well. But the Shadow Court will rise, and you can't stop it."
Adrian tightened the fiery chain around him and his eyes widened in fear, though he tried to mask it behind a sneer.
"You know, for someone who's lost everything, you sure talk big," Adrian sneered. He brought the man up to eye level, their faces inches apart. "Now listen. You'll tell me what I need to know."
