Dozens of people stood there, watching. Their faces calm, their expressions unreadable, like masks carved from stone. Not a single one spoke. Not even a whisper.
Kaya blinked, almost doubting if they were truly alive, until her gaze caught the small, rounded ears perched on their heads—beastmen. Definitely beastmen.
But what kind of beastmen lived like this? No growls, no chatter, no life in their voices—just silent nods to one another, as though words themselves had been forbidden.
When their eyes slid to her, cold and assessing, they didn't bow, didn't greet. They simply nodded once and then turned back to staring at each other.
Kaya felt her skin prickle. She had seen war camps, raging beasts, and even Veer's father's predator eyes—but this silence? This silence was worse.
Kaya's eyes snapped to Veer, her thoughts racing dark and fast. These people were too quiet, too watchful. The unease crawling up her spine made her glare harder at him.
