Wesley Hasley's vision began to blur, the edges of her sight going fuzzy and indistinct. The rain, the cemetery, even Darius's face above her—everything started to swim together into an incomprehensible mess. Her brain, overwhelmed by too much information, too much shock, too much impossible reality, was simply shutting down, unable to process what she'd just learned.The God of War. He's the God of War. Darius is the God of War.The thought circled her mind like a vulture, each repetition driving the truth deeper into her consciousness. The least man she'd ever respected. The person she'd dismissed as weak and naive and fundamentally inferior. The fool she'd manipulated for years without a second thought. That person—that supposedly pathetic, trusting boy—was actually the most powerful individual on the face of the earth.And they'd been trying to kill him.Worse—so much worse—they'd been trying to use him to kill himself. Garrick Wesley had sent an invitation to the God of War, aski

Marcus Henderson had been a security professional for fifteen years, working for Duskfort's elite families. In his line of work, forgetting things was a cardinal sin—the kind of mistake that could cost you your job, or worse, someone's life. So when he'd gotten halfway home and realized he still had Mrs. Hasley's spare house keys in his pocket—the ones she'd explicitly asked him to drop off at the guardhouse before leaving—he'd cursed himself thoroughly and turned his car around.Stupid, stupid, stupid, he berated himself as he drove back through the dark streets toward the Hartley-Hasley estate. She's going to have my head for this. Professional security guard can't even follow simple instructions.The storm had finally passed, leaving the night air cool and heavy with moisture. Puddles dotted the roads, reflecting streetlights like scattered mirrors. Marcus pulled through the estate gates—still open, which was odd but not unprecedented on staff-off days—and parked near the main entr

The Grand Meridian Hotel stood as a monument to luxury in the heart of Duskfort's financial district. Its gleaming facade of glass and steel rose forty-three stories into the night sky, each window glowing like a diamond in an elaborate crown. But tonight, all attention was focused on the Presidential Lounge on the twentieth floor—a space so exclusive that most of Duskfort's elite had never even seen inside it.The lounge was massive, easily accommodating two hundred people comfortably. Crystal chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, casting warm golden light across marble floors and mahogany-paneled walls. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered breathtaking views of the city below, a glittering carpet of lights stretching to the horizon. Waiters in crisp white jackets circulated through the crowd, offering champagne, imported spirits, and delicate hors d'oeuvres that cost more per bite than most people's weekly groceries.The room was already filling up, the cream of Duskfort's high soc

"It's him," Edward breathed, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's Colonel Sterling. The liaison contact.""Answer it!" Donald urged, sitting up straight in his chair. "Answer it now!"Raymond finally turned from the window, his full attention now focused on Edward and the phone.Edward's thumb hovered over the accept button. This was it. This call would determine whether their entire plan succeeded or collapsed into failure. Whether they would have the power of the God of War behind them, or whether they'd be left facing Darius Kane with only their own resources.He pressed the button."Colonel Sterling," Edward said, forcing his voice to remain steady and professional. "Thank you for calling back. Do you have news for us?"The room held its breath, waiting for the answer that would change everything.Edward Wesley's hand trembled slightly as he brought the phone to his ear, his heart hammering in his chest. This was the moment everything hinged on—the call that would confirm wheth

"Don't you?" Douglas stepped closer, lowering his voice so only Edward, Raymond, and Donald could hear. "The Kane family massacre one month ago. Twenty-three people murdered in a coordinated assassination. Evidence suggests Peter Hartley and Wesley Hasley were the primary architects of that attack. The God of War's family was targeted for elimination, and they nearly succeeded."Raymond's face went from ashen to deathly pale. "How do you know about—""I know many things," Douglas cut him off. "I know that you people thought you could use the God of War as a weapon against Darius Kane. I know that you sent an invitation through military channels, trying to manipulate someone far above your understanding. And I know that you're all incredibly, dangerously foolish.""But we need help!" Donald protested. "This Kane person is a threat! He's dangerous! He attacked us! He humiliated us! We have every right to—""You have the right to nothing," Douglas said coldly. "You played games with forc