“But –”“If that is the case, son, you cannot be near him, not until we know what he will do. Not until we are certain.”“But, father, Demitrius…”“Leave Demi to Jorkana.”“I have to –” Anton remarked, his eyes darting about as his mind went to his knightly brother.“You will do nothing! You will remain here, in Salvena, until –”“The council,” Anton breathed, his eyes snapping to his father. “I will attend.” It was not a question or a request.“Yes, you will attend. That is one meeting none of us can afford to miss.”Anton stared at his father as the Lord’s gaze returned to the cold fireplace.How did he know? How did that man know I would be the next Lord? Anton mused as his mind went back to Karisa, to where Tyler Esteil was hiding.==========At that same moment, the four men in the castle were still talking.“Once you make that move, to change your name to Kramer, your uncle will take y

Tyler dismissed his men and returned to the East tower. Tally went to Miran House to take care of regular business. Charles was busy preparing for the return to Salvena.Raymond was pacing.Tally had given him a gem that had projected everything that had happened at the tavern.He was pale and felt sick to his stomach. He had been stunned by seeing Jorkana and Demitrius Voltera on their knees, and from what the heir to the Voltera clan had said, he was nervous. More nervous for his friend than he had expected.So, he paced.There was a soft knock and he jumped.The door opened slowly. His friend stood before him. A man he did not recognize.“Did you have to do that? Did you have to go that far?”Tyler held his gaze. Raymond stepped forward. “Did you have to kill them?!”“Every man on that street was a killer, Raymond. Every single one of us.”“No! That’s not right!”“This is –”“If you say this is Karisa, I’ll fucking punch you in the fucking eye, Tyler! You can’t do this! You can’t l

They activated their defences, which the witch’s original spell had blocked, numbing pain, and using spell work to hold split parts together.The market exploded with noise and movements, but the five men Demitrius had selected were not common soldiers. They were all skilled in combat; every man had been with him since he formed his own squad at fifteen.Plus, Jorkana was there. The old witch was not the only one with power.The elder Voltera brother had already cast a covering on the team, making the two without any witch-inflicted injury invisible, and enhancing the defense magic on all the others.No one could stop the men who had broken away to search the market for Anton and the seven guards. Some attackers clearly knew where they were, aiming spells and projectiles at blank spaces, but the Voltera warriors were fast, uninjured, and fully battle-ready.“Children!” the old woman screeched, facing the one who had pushed her off her target. “You

Lord Drakson straightened as Lady Jergens returned to her seat.She faced him, settling down behind her desk, her expression back to the icy one she had given him from the beginning.He smiled gently. “I will come again, my Lady,” he said politely, offering her a bow.Without another word, he turned and sauntered off, leaving as quietly as he had come. His eyes locked with the intruders, and a chill ran down Milton Drakson’s spine.“You’re here,” Emily breathed once Lord Drakson was out of sight.“Yes,” Tyler rumbled.“I thought you said two weeks.”“I thought you said I was a liar.”She smiled at him, her gaze steady. “Can’t you forgive me for that?” she asked thickly.“I can, and I will, milady,” he replied evenly, his eyes searching her face as he remained in the doorway.She nodded, turning away.She pulled out a file from the top drawer.“This is yours.” She cleared her throat as she blinked rapidly, her hand trembling slightly.She dropped the file on her desk, on the opposite s

Tyler pressed his lips together. Standing at attention, like he used to when Raymond was his boss.Raymond straightened.“I owe you. More than I can estimate. I thank you… brother… for helping me. Saving me. I will not live off your, or anyone else’s, charity. I will not be a burden to you, or your House.”“Once your plan is done, I will go my way. Do you accept my terms, brother?”Tyler held the younger man’s gaze.He nodded. “I accept.”Raymond bowed formally to him. “Thank you,” he croaked, his head still bowed.A strong hand fell on his shoulder. He raised his eyes.Tyler squeezed firmly. “Your life, brother, is your own. Always.”==========By 3 p.m., the noise started.Tyler’s apartment complex was surrounded, just like the old one had been when he had resigned from Belarnt Group the first time.No phone calls, no gem messages, just a battalion of guards and a full security team. No government authorities. This was Salvena, and this was a noble’s affair.This time, however, Tyle