The entire atmosphere was tense and silent as Luke and Adam engaged in a heated standoff. Luke said nothing for a moment, unable to believe his ears.“What did you say?”Adam folded his arms against his chest and turned away.“You heard me. I know what you are, my darling Luke. I could perceive your powers the very moment you walked into the room.”Luke felt his insides grow cold.“How’s that even possible? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”“Denying it only makes you look like a fool!” Adam retorted as he whirled in his direction. “And you’re not a fool, are you?”Luke remained completely mute for a few seconds. He held Adam’s gaze with a clenched jaw, willing his jumbled nerves to calm the fuck down.“Who are you? What are you?”“Are you sure you’re mentally ready for that information?” His opponent growled icily.Luke could swear that the temperature in the room suddenly dropped and the entire bathroom became freezing. He looked around, his nerves building in a mixture of a

Luke was furious.He pushed past Nina and barged into her spacious apartment, already prepared to cause bloody murder.“Where’s the bastard hiding? Where is he?!”Nina ran after him and tried to grab his arm but Luke wasn’t having it.“Luke! What the hell do you think you’re doing? Luke!”“Adam!” Luke roared, his anger heightening with every passing second. “Come out, you coward. Adam!”Nina stepped in front of him, her eyes flashing with annoyance as she breathed heavily.“You have no right to come in here and do this, Luke. I want you to leave. Now.”Luke was way too furious to listen to reason. Something told him to just back away and leave lest he’d do or say something he would later regret, but the part of him that wanted to rip Adam to tiny shreds finally won.“And I’m asking you to step aside or produce him, Nina. Produce him or I’ll ransack this place and get him out myself.”Nina balled her small fingers.“And what right do you think you have to do any of that? If you don’t l

Luke was thoughtful for a moment. “That explains the air of hostility I felt around them. They probably know I’m a Rydling and what’s worse? I’m the chosen one.”Mason nodded. “Yup. That’s a possibility. Anyways, we have no idea what they’re planning but be rest assured that their business is clean. They probably don’t mix revenge with business.”Luke took a deep breath.“And Adam? What’s his deal?”He was not surprised when Mason’s brow furrowed in thought. The man knew everything.“As far as I know, Adam’s parents were also indirectly killed by the Rydling war.”Luke froze.“Indirectly?”“Exactly. I don’t have all the details but I know that when they disappeared, they were recruited by Malcolm to fight the war. They returned with very severe injuries, almost at the cusp of death.”Luke had a feeling that he wouldn’t like where this was going. At all. “Then what happened?”“I honestly don't know, man. The elders keep that particular information very, very hidden. You’ll either ha

Luke vowed that he wasn’t going to show any inkling of fear before his enemies. Even if panic burned a fiery path in his guts, he refused to back down or show any traces of being intimidated. He had to prove to Adam that he couldn’t intimidate him.“There’s really no need to resist to violence.” He said softly, holding both his hands before him. “I’m not resisting arrest. I know I’m innocent. You can take me in for questioning. I don’t mind.”Luke was mildly satisfied at the tiny evidence of shock that flared in Adam’s eyes. Rule number three in his invisible rule book; always take your enemies by surprise. “Come on, Detective Adam.” He urged, his tone slightly mocking. “Take me into custody, please. I’d love to see the look of embarrassment on your face when my innocence is proven.”Adam’s face reddened with rage. He stepped forward and grabbed Luke’s wrists, roughly clasping the cuffs around them.“Be careful with him!” Mirabel half screamed. “He’s not a criminal. Why are you bein

The atmosphere literally radiated sparks as Luke struggled to dodge yet another one of Adam’s blows. Adam was working on dark powers. His blows were precise and very well aimed. Luke knew he wouldn’t be able to dodge forever. He was only a few seconds away from actually being stabbed to death.“Die already, you bastard!” Adam sneered. “Just die!!”Luke tried to scramble off the chair but Adam, as usual, was too quick. He wrapped a palm around Luke’s arm and hauled him back against the seat. Luke landed with a thud, a hiss of pain slipping through his lips.“I have you where I want you now, Rydling. There’s no escaping me.”Luke watched as the sharp edge of his blade glinted into the dull light of the interrogation room. His blood turned to ice and his heartbeat accelerated with panic. This was it. This was the moment he died.His enemies had finally won.Adam lifted his hand further into the air and brought it down with violent force and a loud roar. Luke moved away just in time but