The city whispered of a phantom.
A nameless shadow who struck from the darkness, weaving a web of deception and destruction.
Rumors spread of a figure moving unseen, pulling the strings of nobles, merchants, and criminals alike. Some claimed he was a fallen noble seeking vengeance. Others believed he was a devil in human skin.
One thing was certain—whoever he was, he had already changed the game.
A Trail of Blood and Lies
Duke Valmore's estate was in disarray.
His loyalists had spent the last day burying evidence, silencing loose tongues, and bribing informants. But nothing could stop the rumors.
A noble had died. And with his death, a powerful secret had slipped into the hands of the unknown.
The Duke sat in his private chamber, his fingers digging into the armrest of his chair. His rage was barely restrained as his most trusted advisor, Lord Everett, stood before him.
"The city is speaking of a masked figure, my lord," Everett said carefully. "A man who moves unseen, playing us all like puppets."
Valmore's lips curled in a sneer. "A ghost? Do I look like a man who fears ghosts?"
Everett hesitated. "Perhaps not, my lord… but a phantom who knows your secrets? That is another matter."
The silence in the room was suffocating.
Valmore exhaled, his fingers tightening. He needed a name. He needed a target.
"Find him," the Duke growled. "Before he finds us."
Seraphina's Hunt
Seraphina had always been a hunter.
But this was different.
This time, she was hunting a ghost.
Lucien's actions had been too precise, too clean. He left no fingerprints, no evidence. But even the best manipulators had their weaknesses.
She needed to know:
What was his goal?
What was his true identity?
And most importantly… how far would he go?
Standing in her dimly lit study, she ran a finger over the bloodstained letter she had taken from Gregor's corpse.
A message written in elegant, controlled handwriting.
Trust is the first illusion that must be broken.
A challenge.
She smiled.
So be it.
Lucien's Next Target
Lucien stood on a balcony overlooking the city, the cold night wind brushing against his skin.
Below, the streets bustled with life, unaware that a silent war was already consuming them.
Baron Gregor was only the beginning.
His next move was already in play.
Tonight, another noble would fall.
And the legend of the Phantom would grow stronger.
Checkmate.
End of Chapter 13