## Liam''s Perspective


    I stared at ra''s outstretched hands, her pale fingers trembling slightly with anticipation. The weight of her offer hung between us.


    "No," I said firmly, pulling back. "I can''t do this."


    ra''s face fell. "But Liam, this could help you break through! We need you at full strength to face Dashiell!"


    I stood up, creating distance between us. "Not like this. There are lines I won''t cross."


    "I told you, it''s not what you''re thinking," she protested. "It''s just energy transfer!"


    "Even so." My voice softened as I saw tears forming in her eyes. "ra, you''re sixteen. And my heart belongs only to Isabelle."


    She looked down, her shoulders slumping. "I just wanted to help."


    "I know." I knelt to meet her gaze. "And I appreciate that more than I can say. But I''ll find another way."


    "What if there isn''t one?" she whispered.


    I touched her shoulder gently. "Then I fight with what I have. But I won''tpromise who I am in the process."


    ra wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "You really love her that much?"


    "More than anything."


    She nodded slowly, epting my decision. "What will you do about Dashiell?"


    "Face him," I said simply. "And make him regret ever threatening Isabelle."


    "He''s killed a Martial Marquis," ra reminded me.


    "I''m aware." I stood up again. "But I''ve faced worse odds before."


    ra studied my face. "You''re not afraid?"


    "Terrified," I admitted with a half-smile. "But that won''t stop me."


    A knock at the door interrupted us. Eamon pushed it open, his expression grim.


    "Sorry to interrupt, but we need to talk," he said. "I''ve received news from Veridia City."


    My heart clenched. "Is Isabelle—"


    "She''s fine, as far as I know," Eamon reassured me. "But there''s movement at the Ashworth estate. Unusual activity. My contacts report Corbin has summoned the family''s elite guards."


    "When do we leave?" I asked immediately.


    Eamon raised an eyebrow. "We?"


    "You''re noting with me," I stated firmly.


    "Like hell I''m not," he shot back. "You''re walking into a death trap, Liam."


    "Exactly. And I won''t drag anyone else down with me."


    Eamon crossed his arms. "This isn''t a debate. I''ming. Someone needs to watch your back."


    I wanted to argue further but recognized the stubborn set of his jaw. "Fine. We leave at dawn."


    ---


    The journey to Veridia City took less than a day with our enhanced speed. We traveled in tense silence, each lost in our thoughts.


    As the sprawling cityscape came into view, Eamon finally spoke. "What''s your n when we get there?"


    "Find Isabelle," I replied. "Make sure she''s safe."


    "And after that?"


    I shrugged. "Improvise."


    Eamon snorted. "Wonderful strategy."


    "Got a better one?"


    He didn''t respond.


    We entered the city through a less-guarded gate, avoiding the main thoroughfares. The wedding preparations were evident everywhere – banners bearing the ckthorne and Ashworth crests hung from buildings, and street vendors hawkedmemorative trinkets.


    "The circus is in full swing," Eamon muttered as we passed a merchant selling painted portraits of the "happy couple."


    I clenched my fists but kept walking. "I''m heading to the Ashworth estate. You should find lodging andy low."


    "Splitting up is suicide," Eamon protested.


    "I move faster alone," I insisted. "I''ll contact you once I''ve assessed the situation."


    Before he could argue further, I slipped into an alley and vanished, using the Shadow Step technique to move unseen between buildings. Eamon wouldn''t be happy, but he''d understand. This was my fight.


    ---


    Meanwhile, at the Ashworth estate, another confrontation was unfolding.


    An older man in simple traveler''s clothes approached the main gate, his stride purposeful despite his apparent age. The guards straightened as he drew near.


    "State your business," one demanded.


    "I''m here to see Corbin Ashworth," the man replied calmly.


    The guards exchanged nces. Something about the visitor''smanding presence unsettled them.


    "Your name?" the second guard asked.


    "Tell him..." the visitor paused, "an old friend has returned."


    The guards hesitated, then one nodded to another who disappeared inside. Minutester, the messenger returned, looking pale.


    "Seize him," he whispered urgently. "Master Corbin''s orders."


    Before the visitor could react, six more guards emerged from concealed positions. They surrounded him, weapons drawn.


    "What is the meaning of this?" the man demanded, his voice carrying an authority that made several guards falter.


    "You''lle with us, sir," the lead guard stated, though his voice trembled slightly. "Master Corbin wants to see you personally."


    The man''s eyes narrowed, but he nodded. "Lead the way."


    They escorted him throughvish gardens to a private courtyard where Corbin Ashworth stood waiting, hands sped behind his back. When the visitor was brought before him, Corbin dismissed the guards with a wave.


    "Leave us," he ordered. "But stay within earshot."


    Once alone, Corbin studied his visitor, aplex mixture of emotions ying across his features.


    "I never expected to see you again," he finally said. "Especially not in this... form."


    The visitor met his gaze steadily. "Hello, son."


    Corbin''s jaw tightened. "Don''t call me that. You may have taken a new body, but you''re not fooling anyone... Father."


    Michael Ashworth – or rather, his consciousness in another body – showed no reaction to being recognized. "Perceptive as always, Corbin."


    "Did you think you could simply walk back in here?" Corbin asked incredulously. "After everything that''s happened?"


    "This is my home," Michael stated simply.


    Corbinughed, a harsh sound devoid of humor. "Not anymore. Things have changed while you''ve been away."


    Part of a series hosted by My Virtual Library Empire (MV&LEMP&YR).


    "So I see." Michael nced around the courtyard. "Where''s Isabelle?"


    "Safe," Corbin replied curtly. "Being prepared for her wedding."


    "To the ckthorne boy?" Michael''s voice hardened. "Against her will?"


    "For the good of the family," Corbin countered. "Something you used to understand."


    Michael took a step forward, making Corbin instinctively back up. Even in a different body, his father''s presence remained intimidating.


    "The Ashworth family doesn''t sacrifice its children for political gain," Michael said coldly.


    "Times change." Corbin regained hisposure. "As do families. The question is what to do with you now."


    "I''m here to see my granddaughter."


    "That''s not happening." Corbin''s voice was final. "Here''s what will happen instead. You''ll be givenfortable quarters – under guard, of course. You''ll remain there until I decide what''s best for the family''s interests."


    Michael''s eyes shed dangerously. "You''re putting me under house arrest? In my own home?"


    "Consider it protective custody," Corbin replied smoothly. "Unless you''d prefer lessfortable arrangements?"


    The threat hung in the air between them.


    Michael studied his son as if seeing him truly for the first time. "What happened to you, Corbin? This isn''t the son I raised."


    "I grew up," Corbin snapped. "I learned that sentiment has no ce in power. You taught me that the Ashworth legacy was everything – then you threw it all away for that girl."


    "Isabelle is your niece," Michael reminded him sharply.


    "She''s a tool," Corbin corrected. "Like everything and everyone else. That''s the lesson you failed to learn."


    Michael shook his head slowly. "You''ve be the very thing we always stood against."


    "I''ve be what I needed to be!" Corbin''sposure finally cracked. "The sole heir to the Ashworth name. Nopetitors, no challenges. Just me."


    "And you''d eliminate anyone who stands in your way?" Michael asked quietly. "Even your own father?"


    Corbin''s silence was answer enough.


    "You have a choice, Father," he finally said. "ept my hospitality, or face the consequences."


    Michael straightened, his borrowed body somehow seeming to grow in stature. "You don''t have what it takes to threaten me. If you really have the heart, just do it."


    Their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills, father and son locked in a confrontation that would ultimately destroy one of them.


    Outside the estate walls, invisible in the shadows, I watched the guards'' unusual movements and felt a chill of foreboding. Something was very wrong at the Ashworth estate. And Isabelle was caught in the middle of it.