For a long moment, no one spoke.
The arena that had once been filled with voices, laughter, ridicule, and rising tension now fell into a silence so deep that even the faint sound of breathing felt loud. Every vampire present, from the lowest ranked guard standing at the edges to the Emperor level rulers seated above, held their breath as if even the smallest sound might disturb what was unfolding before them.
Their eyes were locked onto one place.
Cornelia.
Seated upon the transformed palm that no longer looked like a mere testing artifact but something far older and far more dangerous, she remained still, her posture straight, her presence calm, her long curly brown hair resting gently against her shoulders as if she was unaware of the storm she had stirred in everyone's hearts.
Above her, the eighth drop continued to form.
