The moment the guards dispersed, the hooded figure tensed like a wild animal sensing danger.
Without sparing Kyle a second glance, they turned and bolted in the opposite direction, disappearing into the crowd.
But they had barely taken a few steps before Kyle moved.
He caught the edge of their cloak with a swift, precise grip and yanked it back, halting their escape.
The figure stumbled, nearly falling from the force, and whipped around in panic, eyes wide under the hood.
Kyle's face wore a smile—pleasant, polite even—but there was something unsettling about it.
A chill, practiced calm that suggested he was done playing around.
"Going somewhere?"
He asked, voice low and almost amused.
The hooded figure stiffened, clearly realizing that the protection of the local guards was gone.
They were on their own now—and that made Kyle far more dangerous than they'd initially thought.
