They laugh. "Let's find out."
Suddenly, the shorter man is lifted off his feet, a figure cloaked in shadow gripping him by the throat. "Let's not," Xam said quietly. There's a crash as he's thrown into the alley wall.
"What the fu-" The tall man turns to take a swipe at the newcomer, but stops cold when he sees orange eyes burning behind a curtain of black. He drops to his knees. "Y- your Grace." The tall monster's face is that of one on the brink of destruction.
Xam unties his cape deftly, draping it over Riley's shoulders. Only now does she realize just how cold the air is. Only now does she realize that Xam's hands are pitch black, tipped with razor sharp claws.
"It seems that news of your arrival has spread fast, Princess," he murmurs under his breath. He raises his voice. "You can tell your friends that if anyone hurts this woman, I will personally delight in seeing their execution at dawn." His voice is hard as steel.