Chapter 676: The Altar Beneath the Seal
Tobias winced.
It was not a dramatic movement. Just a small tightening of his face, as if he already knew what was about to come his way the moment the words left his mouth.
"It… escaped me?" he said.
Ronan stared at him.
There was a pause that lasted just long enough to be dangerous.
"Are you asking me," Ronan said slowly, "or telling me?"
Tobias hesitated.
"…I'm asking?" he tried.
That was enough.
Ronan pushed back from his seat so abruptly that the legs scraped against the floor with a sharp sound. He moved like he was about to cross the distance between them in about two strides.
Tobias reacted immediately.
He shot up from his chair and bolted toward the far end of the hall, nearly stumbling over his own feet in the process. He stopped only when there was a good amount of distance between them, turning quickly with both hands raised in front of him.
"I am only a boy!" he said in a rush. "There is no need for violence!"
