Nick's voice carried the weight of a final warning. "Step out of line again, and there won't be a conversation. There will be consequences."Warren Gallagher nodded sharply. "Understood."He straightened, tension still visible in his shoulders. "I've told you everything. The truth, all of it. I had no part in what happened to the Crane family, but I won't pretend my hands are clean of the circumstances that led to it." He paused. "From this day forward, whatever the Dragon Warlord commands, I will answer. Without question, without hesitation."Nick waved him off. "Fine. If I need you, I'll reach out."The matter was settled. His mind had already shifted back toward Diverton, pulled by an urgency that tightened in his chest with every passing second.The campaign in the Empire of Aurelia had made one thing clear: these people would eventually target those closest to him. Beatrix Sterling was the Soldier Queen, a fighter whose strength few could match, and eve

The challenge died mid-sentence. A shadow burst from the manor grounds with such velocity that the torchlight barely caught its shape, and before the assassin could close the remaining distance, blood sprayed in a wide arc across the flagstones. His head hit the dirt, eyes still wide with shock, mouth frozen around the last syllable he would never finish. The body stood upright for a full heartbeat, arms still raised in a guard that no longer mattered, before it crumpled sideways into the dust.A single move. That was all it took.The others froze. Whatever they'd expected from tonight's contract, it wasn't this. Nick Crane stood bathed in warm blood, droplets rolling down his jaw and dripping from his knuckles. His presence radiated the kind of killing intent that made the air itself feel thin, as though the atmosphere had recoiled from him. He drew a deep breath, chest expanding slowly, then roared. The sound was so forceful it left ears ringing and set the courtyard lan

" Nick!" Roman Lockwood's voice boomed across the clearing, dripping with satisfaction. "You pathetic waste of breath! You were so full of yourself a moment ago. What happened? Run out of steam already?"He circled Nick Crane like a predator toying with wounded prey, trading blows with the other four Sovereign-tier warriors while hurling taunts between each strike. The five of them moved in practiced coordination, hemming Nick in from every angle, their combined pressure enough to crush any ordinary fighter into dust."Enough talk," Nick said through gritted teeth. "You want to fight? Then fight."His voice was clipped, almost distracted. Not because he was afraid, but because his attention was elsewhere. Deep within his body, something was shifting. A tremor ran through his meridians, faint but unmistakable. He could feel it: the threshold of a breakthrough, hovering just beyond reach like a door left ajar.He needed time. He needed pressure.He needed them

The engine roar cut through the quiet morning air outside Clearwater Manor, shattering the stillness that had settled over the grounds like a held breath.Tires shrieked against asphalt. Nick yanked the wheel hard, sliding the car to a flawless stop right at the gate, gravel spraying out from beneath the wheels in a wide arc.Celia burst through the door before he'd even killed the engine. The moment she saw him step out, her composure shattered completely. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she ran straight into his arms, clutching him like he might vanish again if she let go for even a second."Where did you go?" Her voice cracked, raw with fear and relief tangled together. "I thought... I thought something terrible happened to you."She pulled back just enough to look him over, hands trembling against his chest, and that's when the smell hit her. Blood. Thick and metallic, clinging to his clothes like a second skin. Her hands flew across his chest, his arms, his

"Look at the size of this ginseng root we found! It's absolutely massive!""I know, right? If Lydia hadn't been with us, we never would've spotted something this good.""And I picked up a fresh whole chicken too. I'm going to make soup for everyone when we get back.""Perfect! I can't wait to try Celia's cooking again.""Don't give me all the credit. Phoebe's even better in the kitchen than I am."The bright chatter of voices drifted in from outside, and Serena and Helena snapped to attention. Celia and the others were back.Nick tensed, pulling his focus inward. In one smooth motion, he adjusted his clothes and swung himself off the bed. Serena and Helena scrambled to straighten their own clothing, faces flushed at the memory of what had just transpired. By the time the front door opened, both women had composed themselves and followed him out into the main room.When Celia stepped inside and saw the two women standing there, color restored to the