Julian de Marco acknowledged his response with a nod. Still, he refrained from posing any further inquiries as soon as it became apparent that Damien was inclined to attend to his elder cousin. Fiorella directed her steel-blue gaze towards Damien, briefly revealing a hint of discomfort. However, the source of this unease remained undisclosed in her expression and body language. When she redirected her gaze to the window where she had observed her father, Salvatore de Marco was no longer present.
"[You should be aware of something, Damien.]"
She uttered, her voice low and deliberate as if keen to be heard and understood.
"[My father can be an exceedingly dangerous and unpredictable man, even by Outcast standards. While he has not claimed the lives of our people, some adversaries have departed from their encounters with him bearing broken limbs — sometimes arms, legs, or shattered jaws.]"
"[If you have any weapons with you, I kindly ask you to leave them here. Should there be a more intense exchange of views between you two, I would prefer it to end with bruises and broken bones rather than laser-scorched bodies.]"
As relaxed as she appeared moments ago, she now seemed caught between a rock and a hard place. The unfolding situation was evidently discomforting for her. The question remained: whom would she prioritize if forced to choose sides — her father or her lover?
