The Meeting Request
Jarek didn't like this.
He didn't like the way Isolde stood there, so calm, so sure of herself—like she had already won.
His instincts screamed danger.
Sylva was still tense beside him, her fingers twitching near her blades.
"I take it," Jarek said slowly, "that your employer isn't just some merchant with a grudge?"
Isolde smirked. "Oh, Jarek Thorn. You have no idea."
Jarek exhaled. "Fine. Who is it?"
Isolde tilted her head. "He will introduce himself when the time is right."
Tobias groaned. "Oh, fantastic. More cryptic nonsense."
Isolde ignored him. Her silver eyes locked onto Jarek. "My employer has been watching you. He believes you have potential."
Jarek narrowed his eyes. "Potential for what?"
She smiled. "To tip the balance."
Cassian folded his arms. "That's vague as hell."
Jarek nodded. "And I don't like vague."
Isolde sighed. "You don't have to like it, Jarek. You just have to accept the invitation."
Sylva finally spoke. "And if he doesn't?"
Isolde's smile didn't fade. "Then you will regret it."
Jarek hated being threatened.
But something told him that this was more than just a warning.
This was a test.
And he wasn't about to back down.
Choosing the Next Step
After Isolde left, the warehouse felt colder.
Bran scowled. "Who the hell was that?"
Sylva ran a hand through her hair. "Trouble. That's who."
Tobias rolled his eyes. "Yeah, but we knew that already."
Jarek stared at the door, deep in thought.
They had just won a battle against Caden. They had just crippled his supply line.
And yet, here came another player—someone powerful enough to send a messenger alone into an enemy stronghold.
Sylva sighed. "We should ignore this."
Jarek raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"
Sylva hesitated. "No."
Cassian leaned forward. "We're already at war. We can't afford to be reckless."
Tobias chuckled. "Jarek? Reckless? Never."
Jarek smirked. "I'm honored."
Bran exhaled. "Seriously, though. What's the plan?"
Jarek leaned against the wall.
His gut told him this wasn't something he could ignore.
And if he didn't go?
Then whoever this mystery employer was might force his hand in a much worse way.
Jarek sighed. "We meet them."
Sylva closed her eyes. "Of course we do."
The Meeting Place
The next night, Jarek and his team arrived at the Ironfang Ruins—an abandoned fortress on the edge of Rookhaven.
The place was ancient, crumbling, long since overtaken by nature. The perfect spot for a secret meeting.
Jarek hated how well it was chosen.
Cassian scanned the ruins. "We're exposed out here."
Tobias muttered, "Feels like a trap."
Jarek nodded. "That's because it is."
Sylva exhaled. "So we spring it?"
Jarek grinned. "Naturally."
The Mysterious Employer
They stepped inside the ruins, their footsteps echoing off the broken stone.
Then—a voice. Smooth. Controlled.
"Jarek Thorn. You came."
Jarek's eyes locked onto the man standing in the shadows.
He was tall, well-dressed, wearing a deep blue coat lined with silver trim. His features were sharp, his eyes dark, calculating.
But it was his presence that set Jarek on edge.
This wasn't just some noble.
This was a man used to power.
Jarek crossed his arms. "And you are?"
The man smiled. "Lord Valric."
Sylva inhaled sharply.
Jarek's gut tightened.
He had heard that name before.
Valric wasn't just any noble. He was one of the unseen rulers of the underworld. A shadow that loomed over Rookhaven's darkest dealings.
And now, he was standing right in front of him.
An Offer He Can't Refuse
Valric stepped forward, hands behind his back.
"You've made waves, Jarek. You've struck against Caden. You've built alliances. And now, you stand at a crossroads."
Jarek watched him carefully. "And I suppose you're here to push me one way or the other?"
Valric chuckled. "I am here to offer you an opportunity."
Tobias sighed. "Here we go again."
Valric continued, ignoring the interruption. "Caden is nothing more than a pawn. I want him gone. But more importantly, I want his entire operation burned to the ground."
Jarek frowned. "And what do you get out of this?"
Valric smiled. "Control."
Jarek laughed. "So you want me to do your dirty work?"
Valric nodded. "Exactly."
Jarek exhaled.
He didn't trust this man.
But Caden needed to go.
And Valric was offering something Jarek didn't have.
Resources. Power. Information.
Sylva's voice was quiet but firm. "Jarek, this is dangerous."
Jarek smirked. "Since when have we played it safe?"
Sealing the Deal
Jarek stared at Valric. "What's the catch?"
Valric's smile widened. "You work for me. You answer to me. You take what I give you—and you don't ask questions."
Jarek's smirk faded. "Yeah. That's not happening."
Valric's eyes glinted. "I expected as much."
Tobias whispered, "Oh, we are so dead."
Valric exhaled. "Fine. We'll negotiate."
Jarek raised an eyebrow. "Negotiate?"
Valric stepped closer. "Kill Caden. Burn his empire. And I will ensure you rise with the ashes."
Jarek narrowed his eyes. "And if I refuse?"
Valric's voice was soft. "Then you will wish you hadn't."
The air in the ruins grew heavy.
Jarek held Valric's gaze.
Then, he grinned. "Sounds like fun."
Valric smirked. "I knew you'd see it my way."