The door bursts open. Spike and Samuel step into the room, fully recovered from the last fight. They join the meeting without a word.

  The Alligator clears his throat, eyes flickering with intensity. “Stand up, Paloma. This isn’t how it’s supposed to go down. Please, reconsider.”

  Paloma rises. A faint smile plays on her face.

  “Legend of Legends, you’re our only shot at redemption. You came East for one reason—to save us from Silas.”

  The Alligator's eyes twinkle, surprised.

  “No. I’m not here to dominate or muscle into Silas’s territory. I don’t want to be his enemy.”

  Paloma snarls, fury flashing in her eyes. “How dare you! You will lead us. Now.”

  The Alligator smiles faintly.

  “Warlord Paloma, I’m no empire builder. I hunt bounties. I travel light. Terri’s already on the line. Adding you might be too much.”

  Terri rushes forward.

  “Leader of Legends, take us. Please. With our support, your power grows. We’ll give you everything. We’ll leave Silas. Center City is ours for the taking.”

  Paloma nods sharply, eyes gleaming.

  “We understand you’re not here to provoke Silas. But you must take us. We offer ourselves. You’re our leader now. The girl—leave her to me. I’ll find her.”

  The Alligator exhales and calls,

  “K.B.”

  “Boss.”

  “What’s your take?”

  “They’re loyal. Useful. Take it.”

  The Alligator studies Paloma, then nods.

  “Fine. I accept.”

  Relief flashes across Paloma’s face.

  “Good. Leave Khalifah to me. I’ll handle that.”

  “I appreciate the effort,” the Alligator replies.

  “Naco,” Paloma calls.

  “My queen.”

  “We leave.”

  She turns and exits, her guards following.

  KING PIN'S FORTRESS.

  By morning, King Pin and Venus stand watch at the fortress gates.

  The doors burst open. Silver The silver-armoured woman. And the hawk-eyed Warlord stride in.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  A man rushes to King Pin and kneels.

  “Sir. King Silas's Adviser requests your presence. Ictus Street. Immediately.”

  King Pin gestures.

  “Move.”

  WARLORD KHALIFAH'S FORTRESS.

  Paloma approaches a stucco-walled mansion. Two guards block the entrance.

  “I’m here to see your boss,” she says calmly.

  One guard disappears inside, then returns smiling.

  “You may enter.”

  Paloma steps in—and freezes.

  “Rain,” she mutters. “What are you doing here?”

  A man in black coat standing, he smiles thinly.

  “Perfect timing. You look surprised.”

  “I wasn’t expecting you,” she replies, steadying herself.

  “Silas's Advisor called me in,” he says casually. “Silas wanted extra eyes on the East.”

  Paloma shrugs his hand off her shoulder. “Respect a lady. I’m not here for that.”

  Rain tilts his head.

  “Then why are you here?”

  She turns to Khalifah. A man with long dreadlocks.

  “The girl I sold to you. I want her back.”

  Khalifah’s expression doesn’t change. He just stays quiet, his face frowns.

  Rain laughs softly.

  “You heard her.”

  “What for?” Khalifah growls.

  “I need her. Name your price.”

  Rain reaches out again, his palm touches Paloma's shoulder.

  Paloma’s fist snaps into his jaw. He crashes into the wall.

  "I warned you, stay away," she says coldly.

  Rain straightens slowly, smiling despite the blood.

  “Still fast. Respect.”

  She turns back to Khalifah.

  “Where is she?”

  “She’s gone,” Khalifah replies. “Sold long ago.”

  “Where?”

  “And why should I tell you?” He steps closer. “You forget yourself, Paloma.”

  Rain slides between them.

  “Enough. Silas’s Adviser's waiting in Ictus Street. Enemies are moving.”

  Paloma turns away.

  “I don’t care.”

  Rain’s voice follows her.

  “I know where the girl is.”

  She stops.

  “Don’t lie.”

  “Clary,” Rain says. “That’s her name.”

  Paloma stiffens.

  “Join the raid,” Rain adds. “Then we talk.”

  She walks out without answering.

  Rain exhales.

  “What a shame.”

  ICTUS STREET.

  Ictus Street swarms with armed fighters.

  Silas's Adviser stands elevated, voice cutting through the noise.“King Silas has authorized extermination.”Five northern warriors wearing black coats stand behind him.

  A murmur ripples through the crowd.

  The Adviser signals.

  The massive man steps forward.

  “Where’s Prinky?”

  A small girl pops out from between buildings.

  “Here!”

  “How close are they?”

  “I’ve got them,” she says brightly. “Follow me.”

  King Pin leans toward the Adviser.

  “how about the girl, Clary Pintosa? Heard anything?"

  “Not with us,” the Adviser replies. “Doesn’t matter anymore. Silas sent the North.”

  MERCURY'S HIDEOUT.

  The mansion doors burst open.

  Paloma strides inside.

  “Boss. News.”

  “Speak.”

  “Men on on Ictus Street. Silas approved a purge.”

  The Alligator chuckles.

  K.B. steps forward.

  “Should I—”

  The Alligator nods. Nina steps forward and vanishes with him.

  Shion and Maxwell rise. The Alligator silences them with a glance.

  They sit back.

  “They can track you,” Paloma says. “Prinky. A gifted child, Silas's Adviser's dog. She's a radiant GPS. Tracks anyone."

  The Alligator smiles faintly.

  “Interesting.”

  Terri stands.

  “We should run.”

  Paloma snaps,

  “They won’t stop.”

  “We don’t run.” the Alligator says

  A voice echoes from the shadows.

  “Paloma, so this is how you repay Silas?”

  The room stiffens.

  The Alligator doesn't even reach for a weapon. He just watches the figure with heavy lids, as if he’s waiting for a slow movie to end. “Shadow movement. Step out,” he says, his voice flat.

  Rain materializes.

  “You really are impressive,” he says. “The men on Ictus Street wasn't the real deal. I’m the executioner.”

  Three figures appear beside him.

  “Ruby Phantoms from the North,” Rain says. “Silas sent his best.”

  He catches a tossed sword.

  “So this ends here.”

  The Alligator stays calm, his eyes reading boredom.