The room's air only got heavier with Emma's words, her pout mixing with the way she clenched her fists, her eyes shimmering with the dangerous light of someone who was far too close to letting loose. Her soft, gentle image was betrayed by the way her mana flared slightly, as if her "babies" were screaming through her.
Mark, already on the edge, had his aura spike, the heat rising off him enough to make some around shift uncomfortably, but before he could burst, I raised my hand.
"Cool it."
My words were flat, not loud, but the weight in them immediately chained Mark back, his burning gaze still locked on Emma as if promising death for whoever dared to hurt her little creatures.
'Now this is starting to get fun.'
Taking in the full atmosphere of the room, I leaned back further in my chair, making myself seem more relaxed than I really was. Truth be told, the waves of irritation, anger, and exhaustion hitting me from everyone here were thick enough to choke someone weaker.
