2026-04-21 05:59:06
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CHAPTER 71
The sun had barely risen over the eastern mountains when Isabella's column marched out of the fortress gates. One hundred fifty soldiers in House Deluca's colors—deep blue and silver—moved in disciplined formation, their boots striking the frozen ground in rhythmic unison. The Vex siblings rode at the front, their Elite-rank auras pressing against the dawn like invisible walls. And somewhere in the shadows between the ranks, Riven Blackwood moved unseen.Isabella led from the center, her white hair streaming behind her like a banner. Her ice-blue eyes scanned the horizon, calculating distances, estimating travel times, planning for every possible contingency.Two hours to the northern route,she thought.Three hours to Lord Harrow's p
CHAPTER 70
Three days passed like the calm after a storm.Workers repaired the damage to Marco's study, filling the hole in the floor and reinforcing the stone tiles with additional defensive wards. The Vex siblings returned to full duty, Lyra's wound healed and her vigilance sharper than ever. Alessandro finally slept—twelve uninterrupted hours—emerging from his quarters looking more human than he had in weeks.And Riven Blackwood, the Shadow who had become a guardian, established himself in a small chamber beneath the estate's lowest level—a dark, windowless room that suited his nature perfectly."The Viper has left the city," he reported during the morning briefing. "My contacts confirm he's retreated to his home territory, three hundred mi
CHAPTER 69
The noon meal arrived with sunlight streaming through the dining hall's tall windows. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, casting rainbow reflections across the long oak table. Silver platters bore roasted meats, fresh bread, and delicacies from across the continent. Servants in House Deluca's colors moved quietly, filling goblets and clearing plates.Marco sat at the head of the table, his golden eyes calm, his expression unreadable. To anyone watching, he appeared completely at ease—a lord enjoying his lunch, unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows.But his hand rested on the defensive talisman hidden beneath his jacket. His mana sense extended to its maximum range, brushing against every corner of the room. And seated at his right hand, Isabella's ice-blue eyes never stopped scanning.
CHAPTER 68
The first test of Riven Blackwood's loyalty came sooner than anyone expected.Barely twelve hours after the warehouse meeting, as dawn painted the eastern sky in shades of gold and rose, a messenger arrived at the estate with urgent news. The Santoro Family, desperate and cornered, had made a fatal miscalculation."They've hired a second Shadow," Morwen reported, his pale face grim. "Not to replace Riven—to finish the job he abandoned. They're doubling down."Marco stood by the window of his study, watching the sun rise over his half-constructed fortress. The news should have terrified him. Instead, he felt a cold calm settle over his bones."How do you know?"
CHAPTER 67
The morning after the Shadow's attack, Marco summoned his entire council to the war room. The atmosphere was tense, charged with the memory of near-death and the knowledge that the threat was far from over.Lyra Vex sat in a chair by the window, her side bandaged, her face pale but determined. Her brother Theron stood behind her, his massive arms crossed, his eyes never leaving Marco. The Elite-rank bodyguards had failed to stop the Shadow—but they had survived, and that counted for something."The Shadow will return," Morwen said from his customary position in the shadows. "Probably within the week. It knows your defenses now. It will adapt.""Then we need to adapt faster." Marco stood at the head of the table, his golden e
CHAPTER 66
The morning sun streamed through the windows of Marco's study, casting golden light across the maps and ledgers that covered his desk. He had been working since dawn, reviewing fortress construction reports, trade agreements, and the growing list of noble allies. The past two weeks had been productive—thirty-seven minor nobles pledged, three major houses expressing interest, and the fortress walls rising higher every day.But Fiora's expression when she entered the study told him that productivity was about to be interrupted."We have a problem," she said, closing the door behind her. Her face was pale, her hands trembling slightly. "A big problem."Marco set down his quill. "Tell me."
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