I watched Kenneth Minnx approach, his steps asured and confident. Despite his youth—he couldn't be older than twenty-five—he carried himself with the assurance of soone who'd seen more darkness than most would in a lifeti.
"Liam Knight," he said, extending his hand. No smile, just cold assessnt. "The man who's beco the Guild's biggest headache."
I shook his hand firmly. "And you're the Umbral Covenant's rising star."
His eyes narrowed slightly. "You've done your howork."
"When dealing with organizations that could kill , I try to be thorough."
Kenneth nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer. "Let's walk. Too many ears here."
We moved through the bustling airport, keeping our voices low. Kenneth's black coat billowed slightly behind him, drawing occasional glances from passersby. The silver ring on his finger occasionally caught the light—a symbol of rank within the Covenant, I'd learned.
"Rex says you've located the entrance to the Mystic Realm," Kenneth said once we were outside.
"I have. It's within the Veridia City Martial Guild's innermost sanctum."
He whistled softly. "No wonder you need our help. That place is a fortress."
"A fortress with weaknesses," I countered. "I've already secured a way in through an insider."
"And you trust this insider?" Kenneth's tone was skeptical.
"About as much as you trust ," I replied evenly. "Which is why I need the Covenant's expertise. Your organization has been studying Guild security for decades."
Kenneth's pace slowed. "What exactly are you proposing?"
"A midnight infiltration. Tonight."
He stopped walking entirely. "Tonight? That's—" Thаnks fоr rеаding—brоught tо yоu by
"Necessary," I cut in. "Every hour Isabelle remains in their hands, the Guild extracts more of her blood. They're using her to create sothing dangerous."
Kenneth studied , his expression unreadable. "You really care for this woman."
It wasn't a question, but I answered anyway. "More than anything."
He nodded slowly. "Very well. But I'll need details. All of them."
"You'll get them. But first, I need your commitnt. The Umbral Covenant will help retrieve Isabelle, and in exchange, you get access to the Mystic Realm and whatever knowledge it contains—except Isabelle herself."
"The Covenant has sought entry to this realm for generations," Kenneth said carefully. "Its secrets could transform our understanding of bloodline cultivation."
"Then we have a deal?"
Kenneth extended his hand again. "We have a deal, Liam Knight. The Covenant stands with you—tonight."
I took his hand, feeling the weight of this alliance. I was making a pact with an organization known for its fanatical pursuit of bloodline mysteries—the very reason Isabelle was valuable. But right now, I needed their power.
"et at the eastern border of the Guild compound at midnight," I instructed. "Bring whatever tools you need for breaking ancient formations."
"I'll be there," Kenneth promised. "But rember—the Covenant doesn't forgive betrayal."
"Neither do I," I replied coldly.
As Kenneth walked away, I pulled out my phone and dialed a different number. It was ti to set the rest of my plan in motion.
---
Two hours later, I stood in Erson Hols's office, watching the nervous Guild administrator fidget with his tie.
"This is madness, Knight," he whispered, glancing anxiously at the door. "If anyone discovers I'm helping you—"
"They won't," I assured him. "Unless you make it obvious with your sweating and stamring."
Erson wiped his brow. "You're asking to grant access to the Guild's main compound at midnight. That's not just against protocol—it's treason."
"Would you prefer I tell the Guild about your little arrangent with Ms. Hayward?" I asked quietly. "How you've been smuggling restricted texts to her for years?"
His face paled. "That was... research purposes only."
"I'm sure the Elders would understand completely," I said, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Now, about tonight's access..."
Erson slumped in defeat. "The northwest service entrance. I can disable the security runes for exactly ten minutes at midnight. After that, you're on your own."
"And the patrolling guards?"
"I'll reassign them to the southern periter. There's a training exercise scheduled that can serve as cover." He hesitated. "But what about Ms. Hayward? Is she truly safe?"
I studied Erson's anxious expression. His concern seed genuine—perhaps his relationship with Ms. Hayward went deeper than re book smuggling.
"She's safe," I said more gently. "And will remain so as long as you hold up your end."
Relief flickered across his face. "I'll be at the entrance tonight. Alone."
"Not quite alone," I corrected. "I'm bringing a specialist to help with the Mystic Realm formations."
Erson's eyes widened. "Who? Not that crazy treasure hunter with the mustache?"
"Soone with more specific expertise."
"I need to know who I'm letting into the Guild," he insisted.
"You'll et him tonight. Just be ready to grant access to both of us."
As I turned to leave, Erson called out, "Knight! Whatever you're planning... the Guild isn't just going to let you walk away with Isabelle Ashworth. They've invested too much in her."
I paused at the door. "I'm counting on that, Erson. In fact, I'm counting on them throwing everything they have at ."
The confusion on his face was evident, but I didn't elaborate further. So parts of my plan were best kept completely secret.
---
Back at our hideout, I found the Man with the Mustache playing cards with Broderick. The restraints I'd left on the boy were conspicuously absent.
"Before you say anything," the Man with the Mustache said quickly, "he promised not to try escaping if I untied him. Right, kid?"
Broderick scowled but nodded. "Where's my mother?"
I ignored his question, turning to my nervous companion. "Pack your things. I need you to take Broderick to Swallow City imdiately."
"Swallow City?" both of them exclaid in unison.
"There's a small inn called The Jade Sparrow on the eastern edge," I continued. "Take him there and wait for Ms. Hayward."
The Man with the Mustache scratched his head. "But Ms. Hayward isn't in Swallow City."
"Exactly," I said quietly, giving him a aningful look. "But she will be, once she hears her son is there."
Understanding dawned on his face. "Ah... a diversion."
Broderick stood up angrily. "You said she was safe!"
"And she will remain safe," I assured him, "as long as she's far away from Veridia City tonight."
I grabbed Broderick's arm, pulling him close. "Listen carefully. If you want your mother to survive what's coming, you'll tell right now—where exactly is the Spirit Core hidden in the Second Secret Realm?"
His eyes widened in shock. "How do you know about—"
"Answer the question," I demanded, tightening my grip.
Broderick swallowed hard. "The Chamber of Echoing Whispers. Behind the statue of the First Guild Master. There's a formation that reveals a hidden passage when activated by true darkness energy."
"And the guards?"
"Two Martial Lords at all tis, plus automated defense formations."
I released his arm. "Thank you for your cooperation. Now go with my friend here. Send your mother a ssage that you've been captured and are being held in Swallow City."
"And if I refuse?" Broderick challenged, though the tremor in his voice betrayed his fear.
I leaned in close. "Then I'll tell the Guild about your mother's bloodline experints. How she's been trying to artificially enhance your demonic heritage using stolen Guild resources."
The color drained from his face. "How did you—"
"I make it my business to know people's secrets," I said coldly. "Now make the call."
---
By nightfall, everything was in place. The Man with the Mustache had taken Broderick to Swallow City, and as predicted, Ms. Hayward had abandoned her post to rush to her son's aid. Kenneth Minnx had confird he was prepared with the necessary tools to breach ancient formations, and Erson Hols had reluctantly agreed to grant us access.
As the clock struck eleven, I made my way to the eting point near the eastern border of the Guild compound. The night was unusually quiet, with fewer patrols than normal—Erson's doing, no doubt.
Kenneth erged from the shadows precisely at the appointed ti, carrying a small black satchel. "Are we clear?"
I nodded. "My inside man has diverted the patrols. We have a ten-minute window at midnight."
"And once we're inside?"
"We make our way to the Chamber of Echoing Whispers. There's a hidden passage there that leads to the Spirit Core—and from there, to the entrance of the Mystic Realm."
Kenneth adjusted sothing beneath his coat—weapons, most likely. "The Covenant has waited generations for this opportunity. Don't ss it up, Knight."
"Just focus on breaking the formations," I replied. "I'll handle the rest."
We approached the northwest service entrance as planned. The minutes ticked by slowly until, at exactly midnight, a familiar figure appeared at the door.
Erson Hols looked even more nervous than earlier, his eyes darting frantically as he spotted Kenneth.
"You didn't say your specialist was from the Umbral Covenant," he hissed at , recognizing the silver ring on Kenneth's finger.
"Would you have agreed if I had?" I countered calmly.
"Absolutely not! Do you have any idea what the Guild would do to if—"
"The Guild won't know," I interrupted. "Unless you tell them."
Erson's gaze shifted nervously between Kenneth and . "This is insanity. The Covenant has been trying to breach our defenses for decades."
"And tonight, you're going to help them," I said evenly. "Because the alternative is far worse for you, isn't it?"
Defeat washed over Erson's face as he reluctantly input the code to disable the security runes. The door slid open silently, revealing a dimly lit corridor beyond.
"You have ten minutes before the system resets," he whispered. "After that, even I can't help you if you're caught."
I stepped through the doorway, Kenneth right behind . As Erson moved to close the door, he grabbed my sleeve.
"Knight," he said, voice trembling, "I don't trust him." His eyes flicked to Kenneth. "The Covenant wants more than just knowledge from the Mystic Realm. They want the Ashworth girl too."
"I know exactly what they want," I assured him calmly. "Trust ."
As the door closed behind us, Kenneth gave a calculating look. "Interesting friends you have, Knight."
"Let's move," I said, ignoring his comnt. "We have a long night ahead."
The first phase of my plan was complete. Now ca the dangerous part—infiltrating the heart of the Guild to free Isabelle and, if all went well, bringing down the organization that had caused us both so much pain.
The midnight gambit had begun.
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