In the next second, the face the boy had just smugly dismissed-handsome enough to rival his own-suddenly expanded in his pupils, impossibly close.


    And before he could even process what was happening, a suffocating force wrapped around his chest, and with it, a wave of primal fear surged through his veins.


    The boy knew without question-death was staring him in the face.


    But before he could react, a single drop of blood flicked from Raven''s fingertip and struck the center of his forehead like lightning. In that instant, an ancient and intricate sigil burned itself into his mind, leaving a searing imprint that made his entire body seize.


    His blood turned to ice.


    Then, a voice colder than frost and twice as deadly slid into his ear-


    "What''s wrong? Don''t think you''re good enough to be a pet?"


    The boy stiffened, his whole body locking up as he slowly turned his head toward the voice. But the moment his gaze met Cassian''s eyes, a visible shudder ran through him.


    What the hell is this man...?'' he thought, ''Why does his presence feel so terrifying?''


    He didn''t get time to dwell.


    Cassian lifted a hand, grabbed him by the cor-and in a sh of silver light, the boy''s form shifted.


    When the glow faded, a palm-sized snow-white fox with a silken coat and silvery tail dangled from Cassian''s grasp. Its crystal-clear eyes still carried the remnants of panic.


    Without a word, Cassian ced the fox neatly on Raven''s shoulder.


    Then, with a stare sharp enough to slice through bone, he leaned closer and said, without a hint of amusement, "If you so much as look at her the wrong way, I''ll make sure you never go near a vixen again."


    He trusted Raven, of course-but when it came to the other party, especially someone like Dominic, it never hurt toy out the rules first.


    The tiny fox''s fluffy body trembled violently under Cassian''s re. After a long pause, it gave a tiny, reluctant nod.


    What it was really thinking, though... well, only the fox knew.


    Raven turned to Cassian with a faint, amused smile.


    Then she reached up and gently patted the small fox on her shoulder. "Dominic Baldwin," she said, "that''s your name, isn''t it?"


    "Mm," Dominic replied inside her mind through their newly formed contract. Raven raised an eyebrow, her smirk deepening. "Say ''Master'' for me, will you?" Dominic mentally rolled his eyes. ''Don''t push your luck, woman. I have pride too! Raven chuckled but let it go. She bent down and picked up the book lying nearby-the Star God''s Book.


    It felt like polished jade in her hands, cool and impossibly smooth. The cover was crafted from violet crystal, its surface


    13:04 Mon, 21 Apr 0


    carved with delicate floating runes inteced with golden lines.


    She tried to open it—but no matter what she did, it refused to budge.


    65%


    After a moment, she gave up and turned to Dominic. "Alright, tell me what exactly does this book do?"


    Dominic hesitated, then finally answered through their mind-link. “Truthfully, the reason I came to this world at all was to find the Star Key that unlocks that book. But before I could reach it, I was ambushed by enemies who followed me here. I was seriously wounded. Even though I managed to gather some clues about the Star Key''s whereabouts, I haven''t had a chance to pursue them since I can''t stay in human form for long."


    Raven raised an eyebrow. "The Star Key?"


    As she spoke, she summoned something into her hand-the half Star Key Franklin had once given her. "You mean like this?" she asked, holding it up. "I''ve got one half. Do you know where the other half is?"


    Originally, she had only been hunting down the missing piece to unlock the Fire- Element Starcard she''d obtained from the Henderson family. But now, it seemed theplete key could serve a double purpose.


    The moment Dominicid eyes on her half of the key, his fox eyes lit up.


    "Yes!" he said excitedly. "I know exactly where the other half is."


    Raven''s gaze sharpened. "Where?"


    Dominic told her. When he finished, Raven gave a slow, wicked smile. "And here I thought I was just going there tonight for fun. Looks like I have to go now."


    Though she didn''t say it out loud, the ce Dominic mentioned... might very well require her to use her identity as a General if things turned ugly.


    We''ll see when we get there, she thought, brushing the thought aside for now.


    Then she turned her attention back to Cassian-and began to approach.


    He caught the glint in her eye and the smirk on her lips. It was yful, dangerous, and far too seductive.


    Cassian instinctively took a step back.


    But it was already toote.


    Raven stepped forward, pressed him against the wall of the great hall, and leaned in close.


    What she said next made his breath hitch-sharply, and uncontrobly.