Claudia began choking on her own pheromones.
Arion noticed the change before she did, the crushing pressure spreading through the entrance hall developing an irregular pulse as her damaged glands struggled to sustain the output forced through them by the enhancer.
Blood ran from the corner of her mouth.
Nero released her broken wrist and stepped back, watching the woman attempt to rise with one hand pressed against her throat.
"You might want to stop that before you kill yourself."
Claudia looked up at him.
"Fuck you."
Nero smiled.
"That is generally the response I receive when people run out of arguments."
Arion had already turned toward Victor, who was helping two soldiers carry an unconscious man toward the entrance. The physician had managed to clear most of the wounded from the immediate area, although several of Amaru's men remained on the upper landing, securing the corridors where Claudia's remaining guards had retreated.
