The Last Blood Mage

Xander's Interrogation

Lyra, her face a mask of controlled fury, looked down at Liam, the traitor who had jeopardized their entire operation. "Why did you choose to betray us?" she demanded, her voice steady but edged with anger.

Liam, his eyes gleaming with defiance, spat in Lyra's face. "I told you already. I was with the Hidden Hands from the start. I didn't betray you; you were just too foolish to see it," he sneered, his words laced with contempt.

Lyra clenched her jaw and calmly wiped the spit from her face. She refused to let Liam's provocation rattle her, though her hands itched to draw blood.

Xander, standing a few steps away, watched the exchange silently, his arms folded. His gaze was fixed on Liam, assessing and cold, but he made no move to intervene. This was Lyra's interrogation, and he respected her need to handle it her way.

With a swift motion, Lyra slapped Liam across the face, the sound echoing in the clearing. "Who do you answer to?" she pressed on, refusing to be derailed by his taunts.