---
Sekhmet's heartbeat hit harder once.
Ba - dum.
He could feel the blood god Will inside him stir like a beast hearing a rival enter its territory. Rage rose — hot, sharp, tempting. Not his rage. Something deeper. Something that wanted to tear these three apart and drink until the world went quiet.
Elena's hand lifted slightly, not pointing, not dramatic, just enough to signal she was between Sekhmet and them.
"You are in Slik City," Elena said. "There are rules."
Sofia smiled wider. "Rules," she repeated, tasting the word like candy. "We followed the rules. We walked in. We paid the associations. We did not break gates. We did not kill in your streets."
Her eyes glittered. "Yet."
Alex's voice remained calm. "We are not here for your city."
His gaze shifted fully to Sekhmet now, and the temperature in the hall seemed to drop.
"We are here for the one who made the blood ripple."
Natasha's eyes narrowed. "Original One."
