"You are disgusting," Julian spat, the words laced with pure venom.
Kane didn't flinch. He merely let out a low, rough scoff, the sound echoing loudly in the quiet, dim chamber.
But it was Mahir who moved.
A sharp, metallic 'crack' echoed through the room. The imposing beastman flexed his broad shoulders, his muscles bunching beneath his skin. The heavy locks and restraints that had seemed so absolute mere moments ago groaned, strained, and then simply snapped under his sheer, monstrous physical strength. It was a terrifying, casual display of power—proving in an instant that Mahir had never truly been trapped. He had only been staying exactly where his Empress had told him to.
Mahir stood up to his full, towering height, the remaining ropes falling uselessly to the floor. He rolled his shoulders to work out the stiffness, then reached up, his massive fingers gripping the heavy cloth gag in his mouth, and yanked it down.
