Three days later, in the most secure conference room of the Castellanos Tower, three men sat around a polished mahogany table. The room was soundproof, windowless, and swept for electronic surveillance devices twice daily.The first man was Justin Castellanos himself – M1, the supreme leader of the Sphinx. He was in his early sixties, with silver hair and cold blue eyes that seemed to calculate the worth of everything they looked upon. His expensive Italian suit was perfectly tailored, and he wore a platinum Rolex that cost more than most people's houses.To his right sat Roberto Santangelo – M2, a heavyset man in his fifties with thick black hair and a permanent scowl. His hands were large and scarred, evidence of his rise through the ranks via violence rather than intellect. He wore gold rings on every finger and a thick gold chain around his neck.Across from them was Matteo Valerio – M3, the youngest of the three at forty-five. He was lean and athletic, with dark hair and predator

The Old Man's expression didn't change. "And you think I will help you hunt down one of my true disciples? One who actually completed their training?""I have to know who he is!""Why? So you can kill him for your criminal employers?" The Old Man stood up slowly. "You think I don't know what you've become, Collins? You think I don't know about the Sphinx and the blood on your hands?"Agent Collins felt his confidence crumbling. "I... I had to survive. I needed work after I left—""You chose the easy path," the Old Man said with disgust. "Instead of mastering yourself, you chose to master others through violence and intimidation.""Just tell me his name!"The Old Man moved faster than Agent Collins could follow. One moment he was across the room, the next he was standing inches away, his weathered hand gripping Agent Collins' throat with surprising strength."Get out," the Old Man whispered. "And if you ever come here again seeking to harm one of my true students, I will finish what yo

The entire restaurant was now watching the scene unfold. Yemin could see phones being pulled out to record the confrontation."We'll continue this conversation tomorrow," Yemin told Helena quietly."Of course," she replied, gathering her documents. "I hope everything works out."As Helena left, James continued his drunken rant. "You can't keep running forever! Everyone's going to find out what you really are!"Yemin turned to face James directly. "You're drunk. Go home.""Home? To what? You destroyed my life! You took everything from me!""You destroyed your own life, James. I had nothing to do with it."Just then, Yemin's burner phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the caller ID and frowned – it was a number he didn't recognize, but something about it seemed familiar."We're not done here!" James called after him as Yemin walked away to answer the call."Hello?" Yemin said, stepping outside the restaurant."Hello, Yemin," came a familiar female voice that made his blood run cold

As Yemin and Isabella made their way through the dark alleyways behind the fight club, the sound of pursuing footsteps echoed off the brick walls. Agent Collins had sent his men after them, and they were closing in fast."There!" one of the pursuers shouted. "I see them!"Three armed operatives rounded the corner, their weapons drawn and ready. But Yemin was already moving, his body flowing like water between their gunshots.The first operative never saw the strike coming. Yemin's fist connected with his solar plexus, dropping him instantly. The second operative tried to bring his gun around, but Yemin grabbed his wrist and twisted until the bones snapped audibly.The third operative managed to get off a shot, but it went wide as Yemin's elbow caught him in the temple, sending him crashing into a dumpster."Jesus," Isabella breathed, staring at the three unconscious men. "You made that look easy.""We need to keep moving," Yemin said, but Isabella wasn't following him.Instead, she ha

After Agent Collins had left, the Old Man sat in contemplative silence for nearly an hour. The young monk who served as his aide approached cautiously."Master, should we be concerned about the angry man?""Agent Collins is frustrated and dangerous," the Old Man replied. "But he is not the one I'm worried about."The Old Man rose from his meditation cushion and walked to his private study, where he kept a secure communication device he had not used in years.He dialed a number from memory, one he had committed to heart long ago but had never expected to use.The phone rang twice before a familiar voice answered."Hello?""Alexander," the Old Man said simply.There was a long pause on the other end. "Master? How did you get this number?""I have my ways. We need to talk.""If this is about my activities with the Sphinx—""Someone came to see me," the Old Man interrupted. "Someone who was looking for you specifically.""Who?""Agent Collins. He was my first student, long before you arri