“Oh no, Isobel. That would be very short-sighted of me. You see, a corpse is useless. But a living ghost? That, well, that’s a message.”
I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. The adrenaline is fading fast, and the world begins to blur.
“Make sure he finds the picture.” I hear Gideon’s voice contort before darkness takes over.
21 FOUR MONTHS
Jace
We’re in his office tonight, the air thick with the low hum of the monitors. Maps bleed red across the screens—the Guild’s trade routes, their intercepted communications, coded shipments with Lucian Ashthorne’s signature stamped all over them.
Gideon stands at the head of the table, arms crossed, eyes gleaming with something between pride and possession. He doesn’t have to tell me what he’s thinking. I already know. He’s always wanted me here.
And now, finally, I am.
“Efficient work today,” he says, voice smooth. “You’ve got a mind for this. Calculated. Ruthless. It seems your mother was right all along, you do take after me. I’ll admit I had my doubts but you’ve proven me wrong.”
The praise feels like a hot knife.
I nod anyway. “You taught me well.”
He studies me for a long moment, then gestures to the screens. “Do you see it, Jace? The Guild’s collapse isn’t a matter of force—it’s psychology. Take the right piece off the board, and the rest lose direction.”
His gaze lingers on one of the images. A grainy surveillance still.
“Isobel Ashthorne was that piece,” he continues. “Lucian built his empire on loyalty. She was his greatest illusion—proof that he could save what was destroyed.”
He walks closer, placing a hand on my shoulder. His grip tightens.
“She’s the reminder that everyone has a weakness.” He chuckles, “Well, except for us.”He studies me, searching for cracks. “Does it unsettle you? Seeing her like this?”
“No.”
“Good.” His hand lingers a second longer before he pulls it away. “Sympathy is a weakness we don’t afford ourselves. You understand that now.”
I nod again. “Yes.”
His smile is satisfied yet terrifying. “Then maybe you’re finally ready.”
He turns away, the sound of his lighter flicking open breaking the silence. The glow catches on the edge of his profile, haloing the devil in gold.
“Cameras are looping.” Noah’s voice knocks me out of my thoughts. The night sky is littered with stars above me on the empty rooftop.
“North corridor clear. Three guards in the east hall. I can take two before they sound the alarm.” Luca’s voice comes through next.
“Copy.” I reply as my phone buzzes against my leg. I pull it out, checking around me.
Gideon: Raven to take flight.
I slide it back in my pocket. I can hear his voice echoing in my head.Control isn’t power, Jace. Timing is.
“Ready to breach?” Luca asks.
“Clear.” Noah says.
I clench my fist tight around my gun, “Hold position. I’m seeing movement outside.”
“Where?” I can almost hear Noah typing furiously on his end.
