The evening air was cool as Darius walked Alessia back to her small house. She clutched the Maison Beaumont box like it contained the crown jewels, still unable to fully process what had happened."Young Master," Alessia said as they reached her door, "I still can't believe... that card... you're really...?""Get some rest," Darius said gently, deflecting the question. "Tomorrow will be a long day."After ensuring Alessia was safely inside, Darius returned to where Aria waited by the car. She stood at perfect attention, as she always did, her eyes scanning the street for threats that would never materialize in this quiet neighborhood."Aria," Darius said, studying her profile in the streetlight, "you're from Duskfort originally, aren't you?"Aria's posture stiffened slightly. "Yes, Master.""Do you have family here? People you'd like to see?"For a moment, Aria said nothing. Then, quietly: "I have a younger sister. Emma. She was twelve when I left for the military. She'd be seventeen

The silence in the grand foyer was suffocating. Fifty pairs of eyes looked everywhere except at Aria—at the floor, the walls, the crystal chandelier, anywhere but the woman demanding answers."I'm waiting," Aria said, her voice cold and controlled. "What are you celebrating? And where is Emma?"More uncomfortable shifting. More averted gazes.Then, from the back of the crowd, an older man stepped forward. Benjamin Stormveil—Uncle Ben, the family head since Aria's grandfather had passed away years ago. He was in his sixties now, dressed in an expensive suit that hung awkwardly on his frame, as if he wasn't quite used to wearing such fine clothes.Ben cleared his throat, forcing what he probably thought was a warm smile. "Aria, dear. What a... surprise. We really did think you were dead. The military said—""What are you celebrating?" Aria repeated, ignoring his attempt at pleasantries."Ah, well." Ben's smile strained. "The family has been blessed recently. Very blessed. We've come int

"You SOLD my sister?" Aria's voice was barely human now, something primal and anguished. "You sold a seventeen-year-old girl? YOUR OWN FAMILY?""It was business!" Margaret shrieked from across the room, her face twisted with defensive rage. "Just business! The family needed the money! Emma's sacrifice saved all of us! She should be HONORED!"Aria's legs buckled. If Darius hadn't been there to catch her, she would have collapsed.Aria's mind went completely blank. The words "sold her" echoed in her skull like gunshots, each repetition driving deeper into her consciousness. Her sister. Her baby sister. Sold like livestock.Darius felt her weight sag against him as her legs threatened to give out entirely. But beneath the shock, he felt something else—rage. A fury that matched his own.For years, Aria had fought beside him. She'd saved his life more times than he could count. She'd bled with him, killed with him, survived hell with him. She was more than a subordinate or a companion—she

The car screamed toward the main gate, which was closed and guarded by at least six armed security personnel. They saw the approaching vehicle and raised their weapons, shouting warnings that were lost in the roar of the engine.At the last possible second, Darius spun the wheel. The car drifted sideways, tires screaming against asphalt, and slammed through a section of the perimeter fence instead of the gate. Metal bent and tore. Alarms began wailing immediately.The car fishtailed to a stop in the middle of the estate's front courtyard, engine still running, headlights cutting through the darkness like searchlights.Aria was out before the vehicle had fully stopped moving.She hit the ground running, moving with the deadly grace of a predator finally unleashed. The first guard she encountered—a large man in tactical gear carrying an assault rifle—barely had time to register her presence before she was on him.Aria's hand struck out, catching the rifle barrel and redirecting it skywa

Noah's gaze shifted to Darius, really seeing him for the first time. His eyes narrowed, studying the face, trying to place it. Then recognition dawned, and his smile widened into something genuinely delighted."Well, WELL! This day just keeps getting better!" Noah laughed, actually clapping his hands together. "I know you! I've seen your face before! You're... oh, this is RICH... you're Darius Kane!"The name hung in the air like a curse."The last little stray dog from the Kane family!" Noah's voice rose with mocking glee. "The coward who ran away while his whole family was slaughtered like pigs! I heard rumors you survived, but I never believed it! And here you are, alive and well, standing in MY estate like you have any right!""Let the girl go," Darius said calmly, ignoring the provocation. "And we'll leave.""Leave?" Noah's laughter intensified. "LEAVE? Oh no, Kane. You don't understand your situation at all. The Petterson family is A-RANKED. We're nobility of the highest order!