Kael sat in silence, staring at Phantom. The air in the safehouse felt heavier now.

  "His daughter."

  The words still hung in the room like a loaded gun.

  Lyria was the first to break the silence. "That’s insane."

  Phantom didn’t flinch. "It’s necessary."

  Kael leaned back, rubbing his temples. "You want us to kidnap Draymore’s daughter? The man who controls half of Velkar’s underground? The same guy who sent those monsters after us?"

  "Yes," Phantom said simply.

  Kael exhaled, shaking his head. "You better have a damn good reason."

  Phantom reached into his cloak, pulling out a folded piece of parchment. He slid it across the table.

  Kael unfolded it—his eyes narrowing as he read.

  It was a blueprint.

  A layout of an underground facility.

  And at the center, a name was written in bold strokes:

  "Subject: Elysia Draymore"

  Kael’s fingers tightened around the paper. "What the hell is this?"

  "Proof that Draymore’s daughter isn’t just some noble brat," Phantom said. "She’s something else. Something he’s been hiding for years."

  Lyria scanned the document. "What do you mean?"

  Phantom’s voice lowered. "She’s not just his daughter—she’s the key to his entire operation. His weapon."

  Kael frowned. "Weapon?"

  Phantom nodded. "Draymore’s been experimenting. Enhancing people. Giving them abilities beyond normal magic. And his daughter? She’s his greatest creation."

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Lyria cursed under her breath. "So we wouldn’t just be kidnapping some noble girl. We’d be stealing his most dangerous asset."

  Kael ran a hand down his face. "That’s just fantastic."

  Kael leaned over the blueprint, tracing the facility layout with his fingers. "Where is this place?"

  "Underneath the Obsidian Spire," Phantom answered.

  Lyria swore. "The Obsidian Spire? The most heavily guarded place in the city?"

  Phantom nodded. "Which is why we need to be careful."

  Kael exhaled. "Alright. Let’s say we do this. We infiltrate, grab the girl, and somehow don’t die in the process. What’s next?"

  "Then we use her as leverage," Phantom said. "With her in our hands, Draymore has no choice but to back off. The Bloodhounds won’t move without his order."

  Kael narrowed his eyes. "That’s assuming she’s willing to play along."*

  Phantom hesitated. "She will be."*

  Lyria tapped her dagger against the table. "You sound awfully confident for someone who doesn’t even know her."*

  "I know enough," Phantom said. "She wants out. And we’re her only chance."*

  Kael watched him carefully. There was something in his voice—an edge, something personal.

  "You have history with her," Kael said.

  Phantom’s silver eyes met his. "I do."*

  Kael didn’t push further. Not yet.

  Instead, he sighed. "Alright, Phantom. You’ve convinced me that this is insane."*

  Lyria groaned. "Kael—"

  "But," Kael continued, "it’s also our best shot at getting out of this mess alive."*

  Phantom gave a small nod. "Then we move tomorrow night."*

  "No," Kael said. "We move in three days. I need time to prepare."*

  Phantom paused, then nodded. "Three days, then."*

  Lyria crossed her arms. "You better know what you’re doing, Kael."*

  Kael smirked. "I never do."*

  Deep beneath the towering black fortress, Elysia Draymore sat in the center of a dimly lit chamber.

  Strands of silver hair framed her sharp features. Her violet eyes flickered with faint energy, shifting as the magic inside her pulsed against the restraints on her wrists.

  She heard the guards before she saw them.

  The heavy door groaned open.

  A tall figure stepped inside—Draymore himself.

  His cold, calculating gaze settled on her. "You’ve been quiet lately."*

  Elysia didn’t answer.

  He stepped closer, arms folded behind his back. "That concerns me. Because when you’re quiet, it means you’re thinking."*

  Still, she said nothing.

  Draymore sighed. "You know, I had such high hopes for you. But your stubbornness is becoming an issue."*

  Elysia looked up, her voice calm. "You can chain my body, Father. But not my mind."*

  Draymore’s expression darkened. "Then perhaps it’s time to break both."*

  Elysia didn’t flinch. She simply smiled.

  Because she had already made up her mind.

  She was going to escape.

  And if the whispers in the underground were true—her chance was coming soon.