Jarek weighed his options carefully.
Duke Orlan's offer wasn't just tempting—it was dangerous.
Gold, weapons, and men would be invaluable in taking down Caden, but working for the Duke meant stepping into a new kind of battlefield.
And if there was one thing Jarek had learned over the years, it was that powerful men never gave something for nothing.
He exhaled slowly. "So, you just want me to kill Caden? That's it?"
Duke Orlan smirked. "That's it. He's a thorn in my side, and you—well, you seem to have a talent for dealing with problems."
Tobias snorted. "More like attracting them."
Jarek shot him a look before turning back to the Duke. "And what happens after Caden is gone? You gonna expect me to keep doing your dirty work?"
The Duke's smile didn't waver. "I'm a businessman, Jarek. I reward those who prove useful. If you're smart, this could be the start of a mutually beneficial relationship."
Jarek didn't like the sound of that.
He'd spent his entire life fighting to stay free—not to be some noble's attack dog.
But…
Caden was a problem that wasn't going away.
And without resources, Jarek was running out of ways to stay ahead of the assassins on his tail.
Sylva, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "And if we refuse?"
The Duke sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Then I suppose we'll go our separate ways. No harm, no foul."
Jarek narrowed his eyes. "But?"
Orlan's smirk widened. "But Caden won't stop hunting you. And eventually, you'll slip. And when you do, you'll wish you had accepted my help."
The air in the room grew heavier.
Jarek clenched his fists. He hated this. Hated being backed into a corner like this.
Sylva glanced at him, her expression unreadable. Tobias looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here.
Jarek took a deep breath. "Fine. I'll take your deal."
Tobias groaned. "I hate this plan."
The Duke chuckled. "Good. Then let's talk strategy."
The First Target
The meeting lasted another hour.
Duke Orlan was not a man who wasted time.
Caden's forces were scattered across the region, but his inner circle consisted of five key figures—mercenaries, spies, and enforcers who kept his operations running smoothly.
"Cut off the limbs," the Duke had said, "and the beast will fall apart."
Their first target was a man named Rowan Kane—one of Caden's top enforcers.
"A brute," the Duke explained, "but a dangerous one. If you want to get to Caden, you'll need to take him out first."
Jarek didn't argue.
If he was doing this, he was going all in.
A Dangerous City
The trio left the Duke's estate well past nightfall.
Rookhaven's streets were quiet, but Jarek could feel eyes watching them from the shadows.
"That went well," Tobias muttered. "If by 'well' you mean 'we just made a deal with the devil.'"
Sylva adjusted her cloak. "Orlan isn't trustworthy, but he's right about one thing. Caden needs to go."
Jarek exhaled. "Yeah. I just don't like being someone else's pawn."
Sylva smirked. "Then don't be. Use him like he's using you."
Jarek huffed a laugh. "Easier said than done."
They reached the Hollow Oak Inn without incident.
Jarek barely had time to kick off his boots before collapsing onto the bed. His mind spun with everything that had happened, but exhaustion won out.
He was asleep in seconds.
A Shadow in the Dark
The first thing Jarek noticed was the cold.
Not the normal kind—the unnatural kind, the kind that slithered beneath his skin and wrapped around his bones.
He jolted awake.
The room was silent, but something was off.
His instincts screamed at him.
He rolled to the side just as a blade stabbed into his pillow.
Jarek reacted instantly, kicking the attacker away and rolling off the bed.
A dark figure stood in the shadows, their face obscured by a hood.
The assassin lunged again.
Jarek dodged, grabbing the dagger under his pillow and slashing upward. The blade clashed against steel, sending sparks flying in the dim light.
The fight was fast and brutal.
Jarek barely managed to keep up—the assassin was skilled, their movements precise. But Jarek had one thing they didn't.
Desperation.
He feinted left, then slammed his forehead into their nose.
The assassin stumbled back.
Jarek didn't give them a chance to recover.
He drove his dagger into their shoulder, pinning them against the wall.
The assassin let out a strangled gasp.
Jarek pressed harder. "Who sent you?"
No response.
He twisted the blade. "Talk."
The assassin chuckled—a low, rasping sound.
Then, before Jarek could react, they bit down hard on something in their mouth.
Jarek's eyes widened. Poison.
The assassin shuddered, then went still.
Jarek cursed and let the body slump to the floor.
The door burst open as Sylva and Tobias rushed in, weapons drawn.
"What the hell happened?" Tobias demanded.
Jarek ran a hand through his hair. "We've got a problem."
He pointed to the assassin.
"They know we're here."
The Hunt Begins
By morning, the entire city knew someone had been killed at the Hollow Oak.
The innkeeper wasn't happy, but a few extra gold coins convinced him to keep his mouth shut.
Still, Jarek knew this was just the beginning.
If Caden was already sending assassins, it meant he was getting nervous.
And nervous men made mistakes.
Jarek smirked.
"Time to go hunting."
Sylva nodded. "Rowan Kane is the first target. If we take him out, Caden will start to unravel."
Tobias sighed. "Right. Just kill a deadly enforcer. Easy."
Jarek clapped him on the back. "Glad you're on board, Tobias."
Tobias groaned. "I hate this plan."
Jarek grinned. "Too late now."
With that, they set off—ready to strike first.
Because if they didn't…
Caden would.
And Jarek had no intention of dying today.