"My plan is to make acquiring Elena cost more than they're willing to pay." He struggled to his feet, every movement reminding him that mortality meant consequences compounded over time. "The Council operated through fear and isolation. We counter with exposure and solidarity. Make it clear that harming this child means facing legal consequences and public outrage that even supernatural organizations can't erase."Mei Lin set down her tablet, expression carrying the kind of tactical assessment that came from years surviving in spaces where one wrong calculation meant death. "There's a problem with your strategy. You're assuming Victoria cares about legal exposure.""Everyone cares about something. Even Council operatives.""Not Victoria. I've been researching her background since she walked out of federal custody." Mei Lin pulled up files that made Damon's stomach sink despite the pain medication. "Fourth generation descendant of Athena, specifically bred and trained to handle god-tou

"That was always the plan. Take the child. Eliminate the parents. Establish legal precedent that supernatural inheritance trumps biological custody. Your deaths become the foundation for new frameworks governing enhanced individuals."She gestured again, and her operatives raised weapons in synchronized motion. Twelve barrels tracking three targets while Victoria herself moved toward Elena with hands extended like she was reaching for a particularly valuable sculpture.That's when Viktor Kozlov dropped from the warehouse's ceiling with enhanced speed that turned his descent into a missile strike.His impact caught Victoria completely off guard, supernatural strength driving them both through concrete flooring in an explosion of dust and rebar. The operatives spun toward this new threat, professional discipline overriding surprise as they tracked enhanced movement through the chaos."Go!" Viktor's voice carried from the crater he'd created. "Get the kid out now!"Damon didn't need t

[NEW DESIGNATION: ARES'S CHOSEN - HUMAN HEART, DIVINE STRENGTH][LIMITATION REMOVED: NO MORAL CORRUPTION][LIMITATION REMOVED: NO PERSONALITY DRIFT][NEW PARAMETER: POWER SCALES WITH PROTECTIVE INTENT]His eyes blazed red, but this time the glow carried warmth instead of cold calculation. Damon grabbed the warrior's wrist with his free hand and squeezed. Ancient armor crumpled like aluminum foil, divine construct screaming with sounds that shouldn't have been possible from magical summons as its structure failed under pressure.He ripped himself free from the warrior's grip and landed in a crouch that cracked concrete beneath his feet. The blade still pressed against his chest fell away, unable to penetrate skin that had become harder than the divine metal trying to pierce it.Victoria's triumphant smile died instantly. "Impossible. The transfer ritual was complete. You're human. Powerless.""Was human." Damon stood slowly, feeling power flow through him in ways the corrupted syste

"About the new student with a matching birthmark who's probably being used to get close to her? No. Thought I'd leave that awkward conversation to you." Mei Lin's sarcasm was gentle but pointed. "She's going to ask questions when she notices the birthmark. Kids notice things like that.""Then we tell her it's a coincidence. A birthmark that happens to look similar but doesn't mean anything." The lie tasted bitter even as he said it. "Keep surveillance on the Laurent woman. I want to know everywhere she goes, everyone she talks to, every transaction she makes.""Already on it. But Damon, if this is Victoria making a move after ten years of silence, we need to consider accelerating Elena's training. She's old enough to start learning basic self-defense, awareness protocols, how to recognize when she's being manipulated."The thought of turning Elena's childhood into tactical preparation made his stomach turn. She was supposed to be normal. Protected. Free from the supernatural warfare

His phone rang. Elena's number, which meant she was calling between classes despite the school's strict no-phone policy. He answered immediately, enhanced hearing picking up background noise that suggested she was hiding in a bathroom stall."Daddy? Something weird happened." Her voice carried confusion mixed with excitement. "Isabella showed me her birthmark. It looks exactly like mine. She said that means we're special. Connected somehow. Is that true?"Damon closed his eyes, feeling the careful lies he'd constructed over a decade crumble like sandcastles at high tide. "Where did she hear that?""Her mom told her. Said the birthmark means she has a sister somewhere who has the same mark. And when she saw mine today she got really excited and said I must be the one." Elena's voice dropped to a whisper. "Daddy, is Isabella my sister? Is her mom my mom?"The bathroom acoustics carried sounds of the school bell ringing, other students moving through hallways while Elena hid in a stall