The humans should have reacted with joy. They were free, released from the fear that held them here, in this place, under the sway of their horrible leader. Because Mathias had freed them, removing their shackles of the creature who held them in thrall and dictated their lives to them for so long.

I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised they instead treated their savior like he'd ruined everything good and pure in their lives. From the way Mathias's wide shoulders tightened, ...