## Liam''s Perspective


    "What do you mean your reporter is dead?" Corbin Ashworth''s voice crackled with fake concern. "That''s terrible news, Spencer."


    I pressed my ear against the door of Corbin''s office. The man thought his walls were secure. He was wrong.


    "No, I had nothing to do with it," Corbin continued smoothly. "These rogue elements... very unfortunate."


    What a performance. The lying bastard didn''t even flinch at the mention of murder.


    "Of course I''ll look into it," he promised. "Yes, yes. Absolutely."


    The call ended. Corbinughed, tossing his phone onto his desk.


    "Idiot," he muttered. "As if I care about some nosy reporter."


    I melted into the shadows as footsteps approached the door. Dominic Ashworth, Corbin''s son, burst in without knocking.


    "Father!" His eyes gleamed with excitement. "I''ve done it!"


    Corbin''s face transformed instantly. "You''ve broken through?"


    "Yes!" Dominic''s chest puffed out. "I''ve reached Martial Marquis!"


    The older Ashworth''s face split into a wide grin. He grabbed his son''s shoulders. "My boy! My brilliant boy!"


    Their celebration turned my stomach. These were the men who had ordered Isabelle''s kidnapping. Who had torn my life apart.


    "The ckthornes will choke on their pride now," Corbin crowed. "Their precious Dashiell hasn''t evene close to the Marquis realm!" <samp ss="ref-0865aa">Part of a series hosted by My Virtual Library Empire (MV&LEMP&YR).</samp>


    "Should I make a public announcement?" Dominic asked eagerly.


    "Not yet." Corbin''s eyes narrowed with calction. "Let''s use this advantage strategically."


    I''d heard enough. I slipped away, my mind racing. Dominic''s breakthroughplicated things. Another Martial Marquis to deal with.


    But I had more pressing targets first.


    ---


    The Ascendant Saints Order''s training grounds were eerily silent when I arrived. Blood sttered the pristine white stones. Seven bodiesy scattered across the courtyard, each wearing the distinctive robes of the sect''s elite disciples.


    I stood in the center, waiting. My message would reach Josiah Hale soon enough.


    It didn''t take long.


    "Knight!" A voice thundered from the main hall. "Show yourself!"


    I didn''t move. Let hime to me.


    Josiah Hale emerged, nked by three elders. His face contorted with rage at the sight before him.


    "You dare!" he snarled.


    "I''m just getting started," I replied calmly. "Seven disciples today. Tomorrow? Perhaps seventy."


    His power surged, but he held back from attacking. Smart man. He''d learned from ourst encounter.


    "What do you want?" he demanded.


    "Release them," I said simply. "Dudley Lowell. Elder Foster. The Pavilion Master."


    "Or what?" His eyes narrowed dangerously.


    I smiled. "Or I burn everything you''ve built to the ground. One disciple at a time."


    "You''re outnumbered a thousand to one."


    "And yet here I stand," I gestured to the bodies around me. "While your disciples fall like wheat before a scythe."


    One of the elders beside Josiah stepped forward. "Master Hale, perhaps we should—"


    "Silence!" Josiah cut him off.


    I casually drew my dagger, examining its edge. "You have one hour to decide, Master Hale. After that, I start hunting."


    His face darkened. "You''re insane."


    "No," I corrected him. "I''m motivated. There''s a difference."


    We locked eyes for a long moment. He was calcting his odds. Weighing his pride against pragmatism.


    "The old man and the elder," he finally said. "I''ll release them."


    "And the Pavilion Master."


    "Impossible. She''s not here anymore."


    My blood ran cold. "Where is she?"


    "Returned to the Celestial Apothecary Guild," he replied, watching my reaction carefully. "Our business with her concluded two days ago."


    Relief washed over me, but I kept my face neutral. "Verify it. Now."


    Josiah''s jaw tightened. "You''re in no position to make demands."


    "Your disciples'' blood says otherwise."


    Another tense silence. Finally, he nodded to one of the elders, who produced amunication talisman.


    "Contact the Guild," Josiah ordered. "Confirm Pavilion Master Valerius''s return."


    Minutester, we had our answer. Mariana Valerius had indeed returned safely to the Celestial Apothecary Guild.


    "Satisfied?" Josiah asked coldly.


    "Almost," I replied. "Bring Dudley Lowell and Elder Foster here. Now."


    ---


    The reunion at the Celestial Apothecary Guild was emotional. Disciples and elders alike fell to their knees as Pavilion Master Mariana Valerius entered the main hall. Her dignified presence filled the room despite her recent captivity.


    "Rise," shemanded softly. "There is much work to be done."


    I stood at the back, watching. The First Elder approached her, bowing repeatedly.


    "Pavilion Master, thank heavens you''ve returned safely," he gushed. "We were all so worried—"


    "Save your performance," she cut him off icily. "Your betrayal is known to me."


    The First Elder''s face drained of color. "I-I don''t know what you mean..."


    "He means this," I stepped forward, throwing a scroll onto the ground. It rolled open, revealing the First Elder''s secret correspondence with the Ascendant Saints Order. "Your own words condemn you."


    "Lies!" he sputtered, backing away. "Forgeries!"


    Mariana Valerius raised her hand, silencing him. "You sold information about our movements. You revealed our security measures. Your actions led directly to my capture."


    The hall fell silent. Every eye turned to the trembling First Elder.


    "Have mercy," he whispered, dropping to his knees. "I was coerced! Threatened!"


    "Were you threatened when you epted payment?" I asked coldly. "Were you coerced when you spent that blood money on luxury gifts for your mistress?"


    His eyes widened in shock. He hadn''t known I''d tracked his finances.


    Mariana Valerius looked at him dispassionately. "Do you have anything truthful to say in your defense?"


    The First Elder''s shoulders slumped in defeat. "No, Pavilion Master."


    She nodded once. "Then I pronounce judgment. For betrayal of the Celestial Apothecary Guild, your punishment is—"


    "Mine to deliver," I interrupted, stepping forward. "With your permission, Lord Pavilion Master."


    Her eyes met mine. She saw the fury there, the need for closure. For justice.


    "Granted," she said softly.


    I moved faster than the eye could follow. My de shed once across the First Elder''s throat. A clean cut. Merciful, despite his treachery.


    He copsed, eyes wide with shock. No one moved to help him.


    "Let it be known," Mariana Valerius announced to the gathered disciples, "that betrayal of the Guild carries the ultimate price."


    After the body was removed, she turned to me. "You risked much to secure my freedom, Liam Knight. The Guild owes you a debt."


    "No debt," I replied. "I did what was necessary."


    She studied my face. "There''s something else troubling you. What is it?"


    I took a deep breath. The moment of triumph was already passing. Isabelle still needed me. Time was running out.


    "Lord Pavilion Master, I urgently need a five-thousand-year-old medicinal herb. Do you have a way?"