Maiko's grip was tight as he grabbed Karyan by the arm and yanked him back into the room. The maid, scared and unsure, took a step toward the door, but Karyan's command stopped her in her tracks.
"Stay," he ordered firmly.
The maid froze, her eyes seemed to be wide with fear, as the tension in the room thickened.
"You think you're powerful, you bastard child?" Maiko spat out, his voice thick with anger.
Karyan just stood there, a dark smile played on his lips. "I know I am."
"You know nothing!" Maiko shouted, his face turned red with rage.
Karyan's smile didn't vanish. "I know more than you think."
Maiko's hand reached for the nearby candlestick, the flames danced ominously. "I'll burn that smirk right off your face."
But as he lunged forward with the flame, he didn't see Karyan's hand shift and change. In a blink, it wasn't a hand anymore but a snake, hissing and ready.
