He flung the shredded agreement into the air. Fragments drifted down like ash, scattering across the den floor.

I watched his face darken to thunder as he closed in on me, every word bitten off through elongating fangs.

"You want me to leave with nothing?"

"Not. A. Chance."

He opened his mouth to say more, but his communication stone exploded with urgent pulses. Irritated, he glanced at the sender's mark, jabbed the activation rune, and bellowed into the glowing surface—

"What is it!"

Then—

I watched the color drain from Rogan's face inch by inch until he was deathly pale, staring at me in disbelief.