Kaelen's POV
I strode back into the great hall, my fingers tangled in Benedict's hair as I dragged his severed head behind me.
Crimson droplets traced my path across the stone floor. The metallic scent of death followed in my wake, marking my passage with dark stains against the pale marble.
The hall had not yet calmed from the chaos. Voices still murmured in hushed tones, bodies still shifted uneasily, minds still struggling to comprehend the violence they had witnessed.
But when they saw me, every sound died.
Heads turned as one. Eyes locked onto the grisly trophy in my grip before traveling down to take in the rest of my appearance.
I remained completely nude from the challenge.
Blood coated my skin like war paint - some his, some mine - creating streaks and patterns across my torso and limbs. I looked exactly like what I was: a predator fresh from the kill.
I moved to the center of the hall and positioned myself before the circle of elders.
Then I released my grip.
