Ashra lowered the talisman toward him, the red cracks pulsing like a heartbeat.Malvin reached for it—greedy, desperate.But Ashra pulled it back before his fingers could touch it.Her expression cooled instantly.“This,” she said, voice smooth as poison, “is not free.”Malvin froze. “What… what do you want? Money?"Ashra let out a soft laugh.“If money could buy this,” she said, brushing her thumb over the glowing cracks, “I would have sold it years ago.”She stepped closer, cloak shifting like a living shadow.“I want a favor.”Malvin blinked. “A… favor?”Ashra nodded slowly. “A day will come when I will need you. When I call you, you must obey.”Her pale eyes darkened. “No excuses. You will do exactly as I say.”Malvin swallowed hard. “That’s it? You want a favor?”Ashra tilted her head. “You must sign with your blood.”Malvin’s heart stuttered. “W-What?”Ashra’s voice dropped to a chilling whisper.“Swear it. With your blood. A binding covenant.”Malvin took one step back.People

Zane’s jaw tightened, the muscles in his neck flexing like coiled wire. Malvin lifted his chin slowly, the corner of his mouth twitching into a mocking smirk.“Look at you,” Malvin said, letting each word drip with insult. “A whole lightning beast… reduced to Adrian’s obedient errand boy.”Zane froze.His nostrils flared.His eyes darkened into something feral.“What did you say?” Zane whispered, a quiet, deadly whisper that made the leaves tremble.Malvin chuckled.“Oh, I’m sorry. Do you prefer the word pet?”That was it.How dare a mere mortal insult him?Zane snapped.His body flickered, and he was about to vanish and reappear right in front of Malvin, his fingers aimed directly for his throat.But before Zane even decided to move, Malvin yanked the velvet cloth away.The talisman gleamed violently.Red cracks erupted with a pulse.And the forest exploded with a silent shockwave.Zane suddenly screamed in pain.His entire body convulsed as if lightning had turned inward and was ri

The guards dragged Malvin toward the courtyard.Malvin kicked and twisted, panic exploding through him.“WAIT! WAIT—HE’S IMPRISONED!” he shouted, voice cracking. “HE’S IMPRISONED... NOT FREE!”The words ripped out of him so loudly that even the dogs paused.The guards froze mid-step.Lucien’s head turned sharply from the throne.“What?” he said, voice dangerously calm.Malvin stumbled forward as the guards loosened their grips. His chest heaved. “Zane,” he gasped. “He’s not dead... but he’s locked up. Caged like an animal.”The guards exchanged confused looks.Lucien lifted one finger and the guards instantly released Malvin.He dropped to his knees, coughing, struggling to catch his breath.Lucien’s gaze narrowed. “Speak.”Malvin wiped his mouth with the back of his trembling hand. “He… he’s useless now. Completely crippled. The talisman… it stripped everything from him. Strength, speed... everything.”He looked up with wild, desperate eyes. “He’s lying on the floor like a dying dog.

Sarah offered him a sympathetic smile.Sophia looked away, avoiding his gaze.The family sat together, plates passing back and forth, soft conversation rising and falling.Gerald lifted his glass.“You’ve been good to us, Malvin. Loyal. Brave. We won’t forget it.”Malvin smiled gently, lowering his gaze like a humble man swallowing praise.Inside, he was laughing.They trusted him. More than anyone.More than Adrian.Halfway through dinner, Malvin raised two fingers politely.“Excuse me,” he said with a soft smile. “I need to use the restroom.”Sarah nodded kindly.“Second door on the right, dear.”“Yes, thank you.”He stood and walked out of the dining room.The moment he turned the first corner, his expression snapped cold.He moved through the hallway like a shadow.Gerald’s study was at the end of the hall.Malvin’s fingertips twitched.The silver hacking chip Lucien gave him felt heavy in his pocket.He reached the door…Gently turned the knob…It opened without a sound.The stud

It was Malvin.He jogged across the pavement, breathing hard, wearing a worried expression that was so perfect it could win awards.“Oh thank God I got here in time,” he panted. “I came as soon as I heard.”Sarah grabbed his arm desperately. “Malvin... what is happening? Who’s behind this? Who hates us this much?”Malvin lowered his head slowly.His voice dropped into a grave whisper.“Adrian.”Sophia’s entire body stiffened.Elena gasped.Sarah’s eyes widened.“Adrian?” Sarah repeated, almost choking on the name.Malvin nodded quickly. “I heard the regulators whispering his name. They said he... he pulled strings. He used his new political connections."Sophia’s face contorted with shock and then pain.Then a rage so deep it shook her shoulders.“He… he wants us to beg him,” she whispered.Malvin nodded softly. “Yes… Exactly.”Sarah trembled violently. “That bastard! Why won't leave us alone?”“He wants revenge,” Sophia spat through clenched teeth.Sarah wiped her eyes, voice trembli