A month.

  A fucking month flew by in a blur of exhaustion, frustration, and exhirating breakthroughs.

  After two weeks of agonizing attempts, he’d finally managed to create a perfect replica of that damn sword, a feat that had earned him a rare nod of approval from the eccentric old shopkeeper.

  “Not bad, kid. Not bad at all. Now, let’s see if you can do it blindfolded.”

  Julian had said, that smug grin of his making Mark want to chuck the bde at his head.

  From there, things had only gotten harder. Julian had upped the ante with increasingly… bizarre exercises — summoning multiple replicas at once, shaping void energy into complex geometric patterns.

  Some of it had seemed pointless at first, but the more he practiced, the more he understood. Julian’s methods weren’t just crazy; they were effective.

  Then came the sparring matches. No lightning, no brute force. Just Void. “Let’s see how you handle yourself when you can’t rely on your safety net,” Julian had said, tossing him into match after match.

  He’d pushed Mark harder than ever, forcing him to think on his feet, to adapt, to anticipate.

  It was humiliating at first, stumbling and filing like an amateur, but gradually, he began to adapt. His bdes became sharper, his barriers stronger, his control more precise.

  He was using less energy now, the summons flowing with ease, the darkness inside him feeling less like a stranger and more like an old friend. And for the first time, he’d started to experiment—creating shapes, testing limits, finding new ways to wield the Void. Julian’s madness was working.

  But the routine was brutal. Juggling training with college left him feeling like a battered punching bag most days. The first few weeks, he’d stagger home barely able to see straight, his body aching in pces he didn’t even know could ache. Yet somehow, he was adapting. His body grew stronger, his reflexes sharper, his connection to his powers deeper.

  Thankfully, Ria had been a rock. Supportive, understanding, and always there with a comforting hug, a warm meal, and a much-needed dose of perspective.

  And in the bedroom… she was equally as devoted, always more than willing to help him work out his frustrations.

  His day kickstarted with her lips around his morning wood– what she charmingly called “breakfast blowjobs” – and that had become his normal. Not a bad way to start the day.

  She was up for anything, no kink too crazy or off-limits. A real sex kitten, always game to experiment, to explore, to push their boundaries. She catered to his cravings, indulging every naughty whim and fantasy.

  Damn, she’s a freak.

  But so was he. And with her, he didn’t have to hide it.

  He could be himself, the good, the bad, the dark, the dirty.

  Just like she said. She accepted it all, embraced it all, and that, he realized, was the most intoxicating thing of all.

  She was more than just a lover; she was his partner, his confidante, his best friend. He was grateful for her, for her unwavering support, her infectious ughter, the way she made him feel like he could conquer anything.

  Mark sighed as he thought about her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. For the first time in a long time, he felt content, truly content, like he had finally found that missing piece of happiness he never realized he needed.

  Life was good.

  Complicated, exhausted, and definitely weird, but good.

  Mark rounded a corner, heading towards his usual shortcut, when a voice, sharp and commanding, cut through the quiet afternoon air.

  “Gcies obscura: Constringe!”

  The air around him shimmered, the temperature plummeting as a cage of ice materialized, trapping him. The icy bars weren’t just solid blocks; they were intricate, twisted formations, like frozen vines woven into a delicate, but unyielding, prison.

  He tapped one of the bars, the cold biting into his skin. Damn, that’s some fancy work.

  Footsteps echoed, and three figures emerged from the shadows. Mark recognized the one in the center immediately.

  “Alex?” What the hell is he doing here?

  “Gd to see you remember me.”

  “What’s this about, Alex?”

  “Don’t py dumb. You know by now that Ria’s off-limits.”

  “Still butt-hurt about her rejecting you… Huh?”

  “This isn’t about me.” Alex’s jaw tightened. “Ria has responsibilities. Important responsibilities. You’re a distraction. A liability.”

  “Ah, ‘responsibilities.’ So, what’s the pn? Scare away every potential suitor until no one is left.”

  “You don’t understand what you’re dealing with.” Alex snapped, taking a step closer.

  “Oh, I think I understand perfectly.”

  “Stay away from her,” one of the men growled, stepping forward. His long hair fell around his face, obscuring his features, but Mark could see the anger burning in his eyes. “She’s not for you. You’re not one of us. Stay the fuck away from her, or you’ll regret it.”

  Mark raised an eyebrow. “Last time I checked, Ria was her own person. She doesn’t need you, or anyone else, to ‘protect’ her.”

  The long-haired guy bristled, his hand rising. But before he could attack, Alex stepped in front of him, holding up a hand. “Ethan, stop.”

  Mark gnced around, noting the deserted hallway. They pnned this, he realized, a flicker of annoyance running through him. A nice, quiet spot where they could ambush me without drawing attention.

  “Look, I get it,” he said. “You’re concerned about Ria. Protective. But seriously, this is a bit much? Trapping me in a cage of ice? Really? Bit of an overreaction, don’t you think?”

  “Show some respect,” Ethan snarled, his eyes narrowed. “You’re talking to members of the Crescent.”

  “And I’m not some threat you need to neutralize,” Mark countered. “Ria doesn’t need a babysitter. She doesn’t need a bunch of self-appointed guardians.”

  “You’re an outsider,” Alex said, his voice cold and dismissive. “You don’t understand our world, our traditions, our values. You’re a danger to Ria, whether you realize it or not.”

  “You know, I’m getting really tired of all this ‘outsider’ crap.”

  “You’re a liability, Mark,” Alex argued. “Your presence puts Ria at risk. It draws unwanted attention. It jeopardizes everything she’s worked for.”

  “You think she needs protecting from me?”

  “Yes, you may not get it. But just by being with you is very disastrous for her position.”

  “I’ll only stay away from Ria when she tells me to. And trust me, Alex, that’s not going to happen.”

  Before anyone could respond, Mark pced his hand on one of the icy bars, channeling his power, his lightning coursing through the frozen construct. The ice crackled, splintered, and then shattered, the cage colpsing around him in a shower of glittering fragments.

  He stepped through the glittering shards of ice, lightning still crackling faintly around his fingertips.

  “Alright,” Mark said, his tone sharp. “You’ve had your fun. But going full Saturday morning vilin on me is bit much don’t you think?”

  Alex didn’t answer immediately. He remained a few steps back, his expression calm but unreadable. The two men fnking him, however, didn’t bother with subtlety.

  “Someone’s cocky,” said the stocky guy with a buzz cut, his voice dripping with disdain. “That was a cute trick back there. But let’s see how long you can keep that up.”

  Mark raised an eyebrow. “Cute? You’re calling that cute? You should meet my grandma. She’d wipe the floor with you.”

  Buzz Cut’s smirk faltered for a second before his expression hardened.

  The other man, Ethan, stepped forward, his long hair catching the faint glimmer of light. His voice was low, measured. “This isn’t a game. You’re way out of your depth. Ria doesn’t need someone like you dragging her down.”

  For god’s sake these guys are….

  “Dragging her down? Pretty sure she’s the one keeping me sane. You guys, on the other hand? You’re not exactly doing her any favors by pulling this crap.”

  “You don’t understand,” Alex interjected. “Ria’s position isn’t just about her. It’s about Crescent. The Association. She has duty. A legacy. And you? You’re a liability.”

  “You know, it’s funny how all of you keep saying what’s best for Ria, but none of you have actually asked her. Maybe try talking to her instead of ambushing me in back alleys?”

  Buzz Cut rolled his shoulders, a sly grin creeping onto his face.“We don’t need anyone’s permission to deal with asshats.”

  Ethan stepped closer, his hands moving in subtle, practiced motions. The air around him darkened, shadows pooling at his feet. “We’re giving you a choice. Walk away from her now, or we’ll make you regret staying.”

  Mark’s lips curled into a dry smirk. “Alright. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

  Ethan, made the first move. He muttered a few words under his breath, his hands moving in a series of intricate gestures- shadows thickened around, twisting unnaturally as a guttural growl echoed from shadows.

  What the… Mark braced himself, sweat trickling down his brow as two shadowy wolves prowled out of the darkness, their glowing red eyes fixed on him.

  Summoners.

  He braced himself, his legs sparking with lightning as the wolves lunged. Their teeth snapped inches from his face as he darted sideways, his enhanced speed saving him from being shredded.

  Mark dodged, his augmented speed allowing him to narrowly avoid their snapping jaws. He retaliated with a bst of lightning, aiming for Ethan, but the other guy, conjured a gust of wind that swerved the bolt off course, making it fizzle harmlessly into the air.

  A summoner and a wind mage. Great. Mark’s mind raced, assessing his opponents.

  The wolves circled him, their movements fluid and menacing, while Buzz Cut, that smug bastard, grinned, raising his hands.

  The air around Mark swirled, pulling at his clothes and cutting into his skin with sharp gusts, becoming a miniature tornado that buffeted him, trying to knock him off bance.

  Mark gritted his teeth, channeling his energy to enhance his strength. He pnted his feet against the force, unleashing a bolt of lightning at the ground near Buzz Cut’s feet. The explosion of energy disrupted the airflow, sending the guy stumbling back.

  Seizing the opportunity, Mark lunged forward, his fist connecting with Buzz Cut’s jaw. The man grunted but quickly recovered, retaliating with a bst of compressed air that smmed into Mark’s chest. He threw up a barrier just in time, the force of the impact sending him skidding back.

  He turned just in time to see one of the shadow wolves lunging at him again. He sidestepped, the sharp whoosh of air too close for comfort, and retaliated with a lightning strike that crackled like a whip through the gloom.

  The wolf disintegrated in a burst of dark smoke, but Mark barely had time to breathe before the second one pounced, its cws raking his arm. For fuck’s sake… how many are there?

  Pain fred like fire, but Mark gritted his teeth, his energy sparking to life in his hands and unleashed a series of rapid-fire lightning bolts, forcing it to retreat, its shadowy form flickering and fading.

  His chest rose and fell, his breaths sharp as his gaze darted between Ethan and Buzz Cut. They moved like predators in sync, their attacks weaving together seamlessly—one pressing forward while the other prepared the next blow. It was like battling a storm with a shadow lurking at its edges. Block one, and the other struck twice as hard.

  Buzz Cut smirked, his hands rising in a slow, deliberate motion. The air rippled around him, a low hum growing louder as a swirling vortex of wind spun to life. It shot toward Mark like a living creature, spiraling tighter, faster, pulling everything toward its center.

  Mark pnted his feet, gritting his teeth as the suction cwed at his body. Dust and debris tore through the air, slicing against his exposed skin. He couldn’t stay in one pce—it would shred him if he let it. Lightning sparked along his legs as he darted sideways, narrowly escaping the vortex’s grasp. The whirlwind roared past him, tearing into a nearby wall, sending chunks of concrete flying.

  Ethan didn’t miss a beat. His hands moved in smooth, practiced arcs, his voice low and guttural as the shadows around him thickened. Tendrils of darkness writhed like snakes, gathering into a growing mass that pulsed with energy.

  Mark’s mind raced, formuting a pn. Break the rhythm… Force them to react.

  Electricity crackled around his fingers as he feinted a lightning strike toward Ethan. Buzz Cut’s eyes darted to the glow, his instincts kicking in. He raised a hand to counter, summoning a bst of compressed air, but Mark was already moving.

  He ducked low, his body a blur as he shot forward, closing the distance. His fist smmed into Buzz Cut’s stomach, a crackling surge of energy reverberating through the blow. Buzz Cut’s eyes widened in shock, the air leaving his lungs in a violent gasp as he crumpled to the ground, the vortex dissolving into nothing.

  Mark didn’t waste time. One down. His heart pounded, but his focus remained sharp.

  Ethan’s chanting rose in intensity, the shadows around him coalescing into sharper forms—spindly, cwed figures that oozed malice.Their forms seemed half-real, their jagged edges flickering like static. Mark didn’t wait for them to finish materializing.

  Lightning surged through his body, a visceral force that lit the space around him with flickering white-blue light. His veins burned with the power, and he unleashed it in a rapid barrage. Bolts streaked through the air, the crackling sound deafening.

  The first strike pierced through a shadowy figure mid-formation, tearing it apart before it could fully materialize. The second struck the ground near Ethan, forcing him to stumble back, his chant faltering. The third hit its mark, smming into his chest with a burst of blinding light.

  The summoner cried out, the shadows around him colpsing into nothingness as he fell to his knees, clutching his chest.

  Mark was about to finish him off when a sudden rush of air from behind prickled his senses.

  Without hesitation, he twisted, narrowly avoiding Buzz Cut’s desperate lunge. The man’s momentum carried him forward, leaving him wide open. Mark’s fist snapped up, crackling with residual energy, and connected squarely with his jaw. The sickening crunch echoed in the space, and Buzz Cut crumpled to the ground in a heap.

  Mark spun back toward Ethan, whose trembling hands gripped the ground as he hauled himself up. Blood dripped from his split lip, but his eyes burned with a furious intensity, refusing to yield.

  “Hadn’t had enough?”

  Ethan sneered, spitting blood onto the floor. “This isn’t over,” he hissed, his voice venomous.

  Mark raised his hand, lightning coiling around his fingers, ready to end it. But before he could strike, the ground beneath him pulsed with an eerie vibration. A chilling emptiness crept up his legs, spreading like icy tendrils. His strength wavered, his energy draining faster than he could control.

  What the… His gaze snapped downward, and dread settled in his gut. A swirling dark circle had formed beneath his feet, its edges alive with shadowy tendrils that writhed hungrily, sucking his life force.

  Damn summoners and their tricks. Ethan’s smirk returned, even as he wavered unsteadily on his feet.

  Thankfully to Julian’s training his reserves were deeper now, more refined, but even then he wouldn’t st long against this relentless pull. His limbs felt heavier by the second, his vision dimming as the tendrils tightened their grip.

  Summoning every ounce of his willpower, Mark channeled the remnants of his energy into a single strike. The air around him heated, static electricity buzzing in his ears. His body felt like it might tear apart under the strain, but he pushed harder.

  A brilliant bolt of lightning erupted from his hands, cutting through air. The fsh was blinding, the crack deafening. The bolt tore into Ethan’s chest, throwing him back with a guttural cry. His body hit the ground with a thud, motionless, the shadow circle dissipating into nothingness.

  Mark staggered, his legs nearly buckling, his breaths ragged. His vision swam, the edges darkening. That takes care of that.

  Buzz Cut groaned, blood dripping from his nose as he struggled to push himself up.

  Mark fixed him with a steely gre, his voice sharp despite his exhaustion. “Get out of here. Now.”

  For a moment, Buzz Cut hesitated, hatred and fear warring in his eyes. Finally, he stumbled to his feet, dragging Ethan’s limp body with him. Without another word, disappearing near the turn.

  Mark let out a long sigh, his body aching. The adrenaline that had carried him through the fight was fading fast, leaving behind only exhaustion.

  But he wasn’t done. Not yet.

  As he turned, his gaze locked with Alex’s. The man hadn’t moved an inch, his expression calm, unreadable. His eyes held no hint of fear or anger—just an unnerving calm.

  “So,” Mark said, rolling his shoulders, the faint hum of electricity sparking at his fingertips. “Shall we get this over with?”

  “I’m impressed,” Alex admitted, his tone measured. “Didn’t think you had it in you.”

  “Impressed? For that? If they’re your best, I’d be worried.”

  “Don’t mistake the warm-up act for the headliner.”

  They squared off, their hands raised, their bodies tense, the energy crackling between them like static. Mark’s eyes sparkled with a mix of adrenaline and exhaustion, while Alex’s were cold, calcuting, like chips of ice.

  Mark, decided to kick things off. He unleashed a bolt of lightning, not a straight shot, but a jagged, unpredictable streak of energy that zigzagged through the air.

  Alex reacted instantly, conjuring an ice barrier, but the lightning splintered it, sending shards of ice flying in all directions.

  Ice mage, huh? Perfect. Mark’s grin widened as he recognized the challenge. Sparring with Ria had given him a taste of what ice magic could do, but those pyful matches were nothing like this.

  Before the shattered ice could even hit the ground, Mark surged forward, a relentless barrage of lightning bolts forcing Alex on the defensive. Sparks lit up the space, each strike illuminating Alex’s calm face as he deflected the attacks with a series of smaller ice barriers.

  Just as he was about to reach him, Alex smmed his hand onto the ground, and a massive ice construct, jagged and imposing, rose from the pavement, smming into Mark like a freight train.

  “Fuck!” Mark gasped, the air whooshing from his lungs as he was thrown backward his back skidding against the pavement. That fucking hurt. His ribs screamed in protest, the chill of the ice searing into his skin like fire.

  He rolled, scrambling to his feet, his gaze fixed on his opponent.

  Alex pressed his advantage, sending a volley of ice spikes hurtling towards Mark, their edges gleaming dangerously.

  Mark reacted instantly, unleashing a series of precisely aimed lightning bolts. The ice and lightning cshed, a spectacur dispy of opposing forces.

  The air crackled and hissed, the scent of ozone mixing with the crisp, clean aroma of melting ice, a strange, almost metallic tang that made his nostrils tingle. The ice shards shattered, the lightning dissipated, the energy of their combined attacks rippling through the air.

  “You’re quick,” Alex said, his voice as cold as the frost gathering at his feet. “But you’re reckless.”

  Mark wiped a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth, a grin tugging at his lips despite the throbbing pain in his chest. “Reckless? Nah. I just like keeping things interesting.”

  Electricity sparked along his arms again, brighter this time, more intense. His body screamed for rest, the exhaustion from the earlier battles cwing at him, but he pushed it aside.

  * * *

  * * *

  It became a chaotic dance of destruction, a csh of elements, of ice and lightning colliding in dazzling bursts of energy.

  Mark unleashed bolt after bolt, each one crackling with lethal precision, while Alex responded with waves of ice, conjuring shields, unching jagged spikes, and weaving frigid vortexes that sought to snare Mark in their freezing grip.

  Alex raised his arms, the air around him shimmering with an ethereal chill. A vortex of ice shards spiraled above him, sharp as daggers, their edges catching the faint light in a deadly glimmer. With a sharp motion, he sent them hurtling towards Mark, their paths chaotic and unpredictable.

  Mark darted through the onsught, each step a blur as he narrowly evaded the razor-sharp shards slicing through the air. One shard grazed his shoulder, its icy edge cutting through fabric and skin alike, but he didn’t falter. He retaliated with a burst of lightning, a jagged arc that cracked through the air, shattering the remaining shards into a glittering shower of frost.

  Not giving Alex a moment to regroup, Mark surged forward, closing the distance in an instant. His fist crackled with energy as he aimed a blow at Alex, but the ice mage was already moving.

  With a sharp flick of his wrist, he unleashed a wave of freezing air. The temperature plummeted, and frost crystallized in the air, the icy wave rolling toward Mark like a frozen tide.

  “Damn it!” Mark hissed, halting his advance as the cold bit into his skin. The frost crept across his clothes and exposed skin, numbing his muscles and dulling his reflexes. He gritted his teeth, channeling his ether into a crackling barrier of electricity that pushed back the biting chill.

  Sparks sputtered and fred around him, holding the frost at bay. But it wasn’t enough. He was running out of time. The cold was seeping into his bones, slowing him down, draining his energy.

  Alex pressed, the ground beneath Mark’s feet freezing over. The ice stretched out like greedy fingers, snapping at his boots. Mark leaped back just in time, the frozen surface cracking beneath him as he nded, the impact jarring his already battered body.

  Breathing hard, Mark realized he couldn’t keep pying defense. Break his rhythm. Take control. Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he visualized the flow of his ether. He felt the electric current coursing through him, raw and untamed, ready to be unleashed.

  Raising both hands, Mark summoned a torrent of lightning—not as bolts but as a continuous stream of raw power, a river of electricity surging forward with unrelenting force. The air sizzled, the ground trembling beneath the sheer force of his attack.

  Alex’s eyes widened, his usual calm cracking under the onsught. He smmed his hands together, conjuring a massive ice shield. It was thick and intricate, frost radiating from its edges as the temperature plummeted further.

  The lightning struck the barrier, sending ripples of energy across its surface. Cracks began to form, spreading like spiderwebs. The air around it sizzled and hissed, steam rising as the opposing forces cshed.

  Mark pushed harder, pouring every ounce of energy into his attack. The shield groaned under the strain, splintering apart as the lightning tore through it with a deafening crack. Shards of ice erupted outward, the fragments catching the light in a brief, dazzling spectacle.

  The lightning arced around Alex, momentarily blinding him and leaving a trail of steam in its wake. For the first time, Alex faltered, his composure slipping.

  Now’s my chance!

  Mark closed the distance in a blur, fists alive with crackling energy. He wasn’t giving Alex the luxury of recovery—every moment counted.

  The first punch collided with Alex’s hastily raised forearm, the impact sending shockwaves up his arm. Ice splintered off the hastily conjured shield, but Mark didn’t stop. His attacks came in relentless waves: a left hook charged with lightning, a right jab aimed at the ribs, a brutal uppercut that snapped Alex’s head back with a sickening crack.

  Alex staggered, his movements frantic, eyes narrowing in fury. He conjured another shield, thicker this time, and shed out with a jagged shard of ice aimed for Mark’s face.

  Mark ducked under the strike, his instincts honed from countless sparring sessions. The shard sliced harmlessly through the air as he surged up, smming a charged fist into Alex’s gut.

  The force sent Alex skidding backward, his boots scraping against the ground as he tried to regain his footing. His breath came in visible puffs, the icy aura around him flickering.

  Another barrage of punches nded, each strike precise, each impact reverberating through Alex’s body.

  Mark felt the crack of ribs under his knuckles, the resistance faltering as Alex’s defenses crumbled. The ice shields shattered one after another, their fractures spreading like a web of defeat until they dissolved into nothing.

  “Had enough?” Mark growled, his voice, his voice rough with exhaustion, sparks still flickering faintly around his fists.

  Alex stumbled, his knees buckling, his form colpsing under the weight of Mark’s assault. For a moment, it seemed over—until Alex let out a guttural yell, his trembling hand summoning a jagged bde of ice, its edges glinting with lethal intent.

  He lunged.

  Mark sidestepped, catching Alex’s wrist mid-swing. With a sharp twist, the ice bde cttered to the ground, shattering into harmless fragments. Alex hissed in pain, his eyes burning with defiance even as he struggled against Mark’s grip.

  “Time to end this!” Mark snarled, cocking his fist. Lightning sparked to life, dancing along his knuckles before he drove an uppercut into Alex’s jaw.

  The force sent Alex him sprawling onto the pavement, his body crumpling as he y still, save for the rise and fall of his bored breaths.

  Mark stood over him, chest rising and falling with each sharp inhale. For a moment, he was tempted to finish it. To end the fight decisively. But he knew better.

  “You done?”

  Alex didn’t respond, his body too battered, his pride too wounded.

  Mark took a step back, letting out a long breath. His muscles ached, his ribs throbbed, but there was a bitter satisfaction of winning. Always feels good to win.

  Scorch marks marred the pavement around them, and shards of ice glistened in the faint light. Better get out of here before someone shows up.

  “You might have won this round,” Alex groaned, struggling to sit up, “but this isn’t over.”

  “For fuck’s sake, Alex, just give it a rest. Seriously, how pathetic can you be? Stalking me, attacking me, just because Ria rejected you?”

  Alex chuckled, the sound strained and bitter. “Is that what you think this is about?”

  “Isn’t it?”

  Alex shook his head, a wheezy ugh escaping his lips. “You don’t get it, do you? You’re so focused on yourself, you can’t see the bigger picture.”

  “No, you don’t. I’ve told you before, Ria can make her own decisions.”

  “You really think this is about her choice? It’s not that simple. I… I don’t have a choice either. I can’t just disobey my orders.”

  “Orders? What the hell are you talking about?”

  “I was sent,” Alex said, his voice quieter now. “Sent by the Chairwoman.”

  “Ria’s mother put you up to this?” Mark repeated, stunned. Adira?

  “She wanted me to… warn you,” Alex admitted, wincing as he shifted his weight. “To keep you away from her daughter. By any means necessary. Said you’re a distraction. A risk.”

  “A distraction? From what?”

  “From her ‘duties.’ Ria’s future with Crescent. Her real responsibilities.”

  “Let me guess… She’s one of those traditionalists. Believes in bloodline purity and all that crap?”

  “Pretty much.” Alex exhaled sharply, a bitter smile curling his lips. “She’s old-fashioned. Believes in pure bloodlines and ensuring ‘Crescent’s legacy.’ And you, Mark—you’re a problem.”

  Mark barked out a humorless ugh. “A problem? That’s rich. Didn’t realize I stumbled into some medieval fantasy drama. What’s next, a jousting tournament?”

  “Mock it all you want,” Alex snapped, his eyes narrowing. “But you don’t understand how she operates. When the Chairwoman wants something, she gets it. And right now? She doesn’t want you anywhere near her daughter.”

  “Well, too bad for her. Ria’s not her pawn, and I’m not backing down.”

  “You’re starting to sound like a normie.”

  “I’m starting to sound like a sane person, Alex. That’s the difference.”

  “She just wants what’s best for her daughter.”

  “Sure, sure… Because nothing says ‘I love you’ like treating your kid like a chess piece.”

  “She thinks you’re not good enough. Not for her daughter. Not for Crescent.”

  “And I think Adira can shove her opinions where the sun doesn’t shine.”

  “You’re walking into a fight you can’t win. She doesn’t just control Crescent—she is Crescent. She’s not someone you can defy and walk away unscathed.”

  “I don’t care who she is. I’m not with Ria because of her bloodline or her damn destiny. I’m with her because I love her. And if her mother has a problem with that, then I’ll deal with it.”

  Alex shook his head. “You have no idea how things work, do you?”

  “Nope. Not a clue. But I do know this - I’m not backing down. You’re following orders, I get it. But I don’t want any trouble with Ria’s family. I just want to be with her. To support her.”

  “And how do you pn to do that? Chairwoman is not someone who changes her mind easily.”

  “I haven’t got a fucking clue. But I’ll figure it out. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

  Alex leaned back against the wall. “You’re either brave or stupid. Probably both.”

  Mark turned, his footsteps echoing against the pavement as he walked away. His body ached, and his energy was nearly spent, but his resolve burned brighter than ever.

  “Brave, stupid—whatever,” he called over his shoulder. “Either way, I’m not backing down.”

  The faint scent of ozone lingered in the air, the alley now eerily quiet.