Jarek had been in plenty of bad situations before.
This one?
Definitely top three.
He could feel the weight of the Shadow Syndicate's gaze pressing down on him like a storm cloud. The air inside the chamber was thick—not just with the scent of cigar smoke and expensive cologne, but with tension.
The man before them, the syndicate boss, leaned back in his leather chair, fingers tapping idly against the polished wood of his desk.
Jarek wasn't sure what was more unnerving—the sharpness of his silver eyes, or the calm amusement dancing behind them.
Lena stood beside Jarek, her body rigid, her jaw set.
Sylva, on the other hand?
Completely relaxed.
She was smirking. Like she wasn't standing a few feet away from one of the most powerful criminals in the city.
Jarek felt a sudden, overwhelming need to strangle her.
"So," the boss said, his voice smooth. "You come into my domain, uninvited, and expect me to offer my assistance?"
Sylva's smirk widened. "Not expect. Persuade."
The boss raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly do you have to persuade me with?"
Sylva gestured toward Lena. "A Thornblood."
The room went silent.
Even though the guards had already recognized her name, hearing it spoken aloud in front of the boss made the tension in the room spike.
The boss studied Lena, his expression unreadable. "Hmph. A Thornblood. I suppose I should be honored."
Lena's eyes narrowed. "Let's get one thing straight. I'm not here as a Thornblood. I want nothing to do with them."
The boss chuckled. "Oh, I'm well aware. That's exactly why you're interesting."
Jarek shifted uneasily. He didn't like the way this guy spoke. Too smooth. Too calculating.
Like he had already figured out every possible outcome the moment they walked in.
Sylva leaned against the desk. "Here's the deal, old man. We want Kael dead."
The guards tensed at the name.
The boss, however, simply exhaled, as if he had just heard a particularly amusing joke.
Then he looked directly at Jarek.
Jarek blinked. "Uh. What?"
The boss steepled his fingers. "You're the one with the Heart of Ruin, aren't you?"
Jarek immediately stiffened. How the hell did he know that?
Lena moved slightly, her hand resting near her weapon. "What do you know about the Heart?"
The boss smiled. "Oh, quite a bit. Artifacts of that caliber don't go unnoticed, you know."
Jarek clenched his jaw.
So much for keeping a low profile.
The boss continued, his voice casual. "Kael is… an annoyance. But he is not someone you kill lightly. He has ties. Protection. If I declare war on him, I must know it will be worth my time."
Sylva's smirk didn't waver. "So name your price."
The boss paused.
Then, with a sharp, wicked grin, he said, "You."
Jarek blinked. "Come again?"
The boss gestured lazily. "You. The boy with the Heart of Ruin. You intrigue me."
Jarek swallowed. "Uh. Thanks?"
The boss chuckled. "I propose a trade. I will lend my resources to eliminate Kael… if you agree to work for me."
Jarek froze.
Lena immediately tensed. "That's not happening."
Sylva, however, seemed… thoughtful.
Jarek shot her a glare. "Don't even think about it."
Sylva raised an eyebrow. "You want Kael dead, don't you?"
Jarek gritted his teeth. "Yeah, but not at the cost of my freedom."
The boss shrugged. "A shame. I would have made it worth your while."
Lena exhaled sharply. "We'll find another way."
Jarek nodded. "Yeah. No deal."
Sylva sighed. "You two are impossible."
The boss drummed his fingers against the desk. "Hm. Pity."
Then, suddenly, his smirk returned.
"But I'll tell you what. Since I find you entertaining, I'll give you a chance."
Jarek frowned. "A chance?"
The boss gestured toward the guards. "One of my best enforcers will fight you. If you win, I'll consider an alternative deal."
Jarek stared at him. "And if I lose?"
The boss grinned. "Then you work for me anyway."
Jarek sighed. This was definitely a trap.
But at the same time…
He didn't have a choice.
Lena looked at him. "You don't have to do this."
Jarek forced a grin. "Yeah, I do. But don't worry. I've totally got this."
Lena didn't look convinced.
Sylva, however, looked thrilled. "Oh, this is gonna be fun."
Jarek groaned. This was already going horribly.
The guards parted, making room as a man stepped forward.
He was massive—at least six foot five, built like a war machine. Tattoos covered his arms, and a wicked-looking battle-axe rested on his shoulder.
Jarek immediately regretted everything.
The boss leaned back in his chair. "Well then. Let's begin."
The fight was brutal.
Jarek barely dodged as the enforcer swung the axe. The force of the blow cracked the stone floor.
Jarek rolled away, cursing every life decision that led him here.
The enforcer moved fast. Faster than someone his size had any right to.
Jarek barely blocked a punch before another hit him square in the ribs. Pain exploded through his torso.
He staggered, coughing.
Lena tensed on the sidelines, looking ready to jump in.
Sylva?
She was grinning.
Jarek hated how much she was enjoying this.
The enforcer raised his axe again. Jarek had no time to think.
The Heart of Ruin pulsed.
Instinct took over.
Jarek moved faster than he should have. He ducked under the swing, twisted, and drove his knee into the enforcer's ribs.
The enforcer stumbled—only for Jarek to grab the man's arm and flip him over his shoulder.
The entire room went silent.
The enforcer crashed into the ground.
Jarek panted, his hands trembling slightly. That shouldn't have been possible.
The boss stared at him. Then, slowly, he laughed.
"Well," he said, leaning forward. "That was unexpected."
Jarek exhaled. "So? Do we have a deal?"
The boss smirked.
"Oh, we have something far more interesting than a deal, Thorn."
His silver eyes gleamed.
"We have a game."