Zach stood, his muscles taut, his fists clenched so tight that his knuckles turned white. His eyes narrowed as he looked at Julian, whose monstrous form now loomed over him. His body rippled with power, veins bulging, skin slick and dark like tar, and his eyes—those glowing red eyes—burned with an infernal fire.But Zach wasn’t fazed.He wasn’t scared.He wasn’t intimidated.His voice was as cold as steel, every word cutting through the tense air. “You’ve gone too far, Julian. You used dark powers to grow this strong, didn’t you?”Julian’s lips curled into a twisted grin, his mouth stretched unnaturally wide. “Smart boy,” he growled, his voice deeper, rougher. “You’re right. I used the darkest of magics to get this power. Do you really think you can take me down now?” He raised a massive fist into the air, flames licking at his fingertips.Zach didn’t flinch. “You’re nothing, Julian Vikings. Power means nothing to me. It’s the fight inside that matters.” His voice was steady, calm, an

Later in the evening air was cool against Zach's skin as he stood on the balcony of the guest room. The city of Belmont sprawled beneath him, its twinkling lights reflecting the fading warmth of the sunset. He held the Heart of Solis gently in his hands, the weight of it familiar, like an old companion. The ancient antique glowed faintly in his grip, a soft light that seemed to pulse with its own rhythm. Zach closed his eyes, the rhythmic beat of his pulse syncing with the gentle hum from it. He let the stillness wash over him, his mind clear as he focused on drawing strength which laid in-depth in the antique. The memory of Julian's men, the violence of the day, still lingered in his muscles, but the antique soothed the weariness. It renewed him, restoring the energy he had expended in the brutal fight. As he meditated, he felt the power flow through him, like a current of energy he could command at will.A soft knock on the door interrupted his concentration. Zach's eyes fluttered

Darius loosened his grip slightly, though his fingers still lingered around her throat. His eyes, sharp and menacing, bore into hers with unspoken suspicion and a flicker of curiosity. His mind spun, calculating, weighing every possibility. She coughed lightly, catching her breath.“You’re Zach’s wife,” he finally said, his voice low and accusing. “How the hell can you help me when you share a bed with the very bastard I want dead?”Maya’s lips curled in bitter amusement. “Ex-wife,” she corrected with cold precision. “I have divorced that good-for-nothing. You think you know everything about him, but you don’t, Darius. Zach isn’t half the man he pretends to be. He didn’t just ruin me—he jinxed me. Sabotaged my chances, twisted everything I worked for. And now,” she took a step closer, voice dropping to a venomous whisper, “I want to see him burn just as much as you do.”Darius stepped back slowly, his face unreadable until a scoff escaped him. He rubbed his jaw, the metal fingers of h

The next night, Maya stepped into another room in the bar Darius frequented with calculated grace, her heels clicking softly against the polished marble. It was dimly lit, draped in a blend of red and amber lights. Private. Discreet. Dangerous. It smelled of expensive cigars and something stronger beneath—the kind of space where secrets were shared, and sins were sealed with a drink.Darius was already seated, his long fingers drumming lazily on the surface of his glass. He looked up as she entered, his smirk carved like a blade.“You're right on time,” he said.“I always am when it's about my enemy,” Maya replied coolly, sliding into the leather seat across from him.He leaned forward, eyes glinting. “So, what plan do you have cooked up, darling?”Without a word, Maya reached into her purse and drew out a folded photograph. She slid it across the table, her manicured fingers trailing the edge. Darius picked it up, raising a brow.It was a candid photo of Zach and Barbara—Barbara’s h

Daniella stood motionless for a beat, then without warning, rushed into Zach’s arms and hugged him tightly. Her emotions overwhelmed her — relief, joy, gratitude — all colliding in that singular moment.“You are Godsent into our lives, Zach,” she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. “I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am for this moment.”Zach blinked, stunned, but slowly wrapped his arms around her. A soft smile tugged at his lips as he embraced her back, holding her like someone who just found home in a stranger’s gratitude. He didn’t say anything right away, but the warmth in his eyes said enough.Lou, still seated, nodded with tears in her eyes. “She’s right, young man. You’re a blessing — a living one. May your days be long and filled with goodness.”Zach was about to respond when a strange chill prickled his skin. Something shifted in the air.He pulled back gently from Daniella and turned towards the door, his eyes narrowing. Through the glass, he caught a brief shadow