Lina suddenly shot up toward Alex, her golden eyes blazing like molten suns. "Is that funny to you? Do you think it was all a joke?"
Her voice cracked the air, sharp and furious, almost vibrating with raw emotion.
Alex met her glare head-on. His easy smirk was gone. His own expression sharpened, cutting like a blade. For the first time, Lina faltered—her chest tightened under the sheer weight of his gaze.
"I don't ask about things I think are a waste of time," Alex said flatly, each word slow and precise. "So when I ask nicely, it'd be good for you to keep your voice down."
The silence that followed was heavy.
Lina's cheeks flushed crimson, her hands balling into trembling fists. Her jaw worked as if she had a thousand retorts, but before she could fire back, Hephaestus's deep voice rolled over them like thunder.
"Kid," the god said, his tone low and heavy, "this has nothing to do with you. Mind your own business."
