Ethan remained perfectly still, his breathing slow and measured, maintaining the terrifying facade of a supreme tyrant who was simply bored of the slaughter. Yet, behind his closed eyelids, his mind was fighting off an overwhelming wave of dark, heavy unconsciousness.
"You do not need to do anything for me, really," Ethan murmured, his voice dropping into a barely audible, intensely private whisper that drifted directly into her ear. He paused for a fraction of a second, his internal reserves completely hollowed out. "Well... actually, if you want to help, do this. Stand directly in front of me. Block their line of sight, and do not let a single one of them catch a clear glimpse of my face."
Louisa blinked, her breath catching in her throat as she noticed a tiny, almost imperceptible twitch in his jaw.
