Augustine inhaled slowly, as though weighing the consequences of what he was about to say. When he finally spoke, his voice carried quiet certainty.
"Damon Locke."
The na stirred sothing faint at the back of Seraphine’s mind. Familiar, but distant, like a face glimpsed once in a crowded room.
She did not react imdiately, not with Marshall still standing there. He didn’t belong to their world, and instinct warned her to be careful with what she revealed.
"Damon?" Marshall echoed, suspicion sharpening his tone. "How can he help?" He sounded genuinely interested and as if Augustine perceived it, he paused, turned, and looked at Marshall as though the question itself insulted his intelligence. "I’ll take my leave now," he said curtly.
Seraphine and Corvine followed him without hesitation. Behind them, Marshall’s voice carried casually through the room. "Sure. Prepare the bill for the lawsuit."
It was a reminder, cold and deliberate, that his business with Augustine predated Seraphine’s arrival.
The mont the door closed behind them, Marshall’s expression hardened. He walked back into his office and dialed a number he knew by heart.
As soon as the receiver answered, he began to speak without filter. "Mr. Ashkael," he said when the call connected, "it’s just as you said. She ca, and I turned her away, but there’s a problem."
Voren’s voice ca through the line, indifferent and unhurried. "What problem?"
Marshall exhaled slowly, then said the truth. "She’s devilishly gorgeous. I hope you won’t stop from dating her."
The mory of Seraphine standing there, composed, striking, entirely unbothered by rejection still lingered. What was not sitting well with him was Corvine all over her.
His mind was rushing. Was he single? Was there anything between her and Corvine? Those were the questions he should have asked but Augustine’s presence did not give him enough room to do so.
If not for Voren’s explicit instructions, Marshall knew he would have pursued her without restraint.
"That’s your business," Voren replied coolly, the eyes freezing Marshall with attention to Voren’s next words. "But if your emotions blind you and you conduct any form of business with her, you know the consequence."
Marshall pressed his lips together, not strong enough to go against Voren. Who would even dare? Unless the person wanted to be invisible in the USA.
"Fine. I did as you said. But she might be going to Damon. Augustine ntioned him." There was a brief silence, and he was about to hang up when Voren spoke, his tone absolute with conviction. "Damon wouldn’t dare."
Sothing did not feel right, Marshall leaned back in his chair. "Why exactly is she blacklisted?" he asked, curiosity bleeding through. "She seems determined. And hot."
Another pause, longer this ti but Voren’s voice was colder than before. "Don’t be deceived by appearances. I’ll tell you when we et at the Sovereign Circle."
The line went dead.
***
In the car park, Augustine finally explained himself. "I didn’t want to go into details in front of Marshall," he said, glancing briefly over his shoulder as if expecting the man to reappear. "He’s close to Voren. But I can take you to see Damon tomorrow."
Seraphine nodded, then added calmly, "I told Ravyn you’re my lawyer. He wants to press charges against , but don’t worry, it won’t be for free."
The corner of Augustine’s mouth lifted, interest sparking. "What did you do?"
"I destroyed my own research," she said flatly, as if discussing the weather. "Daisy claims it’s hers now."
Augustine chuckled softly. "That’s simple. Just give the proof."
Seraphine’s composure cracked for the first ti. "That’s the problem. I never imagined her lies would go that far, so I destroyed everything."
His smile faded. "That’s... complicated," he admitted. "But not impossible. You could both redo the research under supervision."
She had considered it briefly but the thought alone drained her. "It’s not a bad idea," she said after a mont. "But it takes ti. I really hope I won’t have to go there. Still, I’ll keep it as a last option."
Augustine nodded. "Ravyn hasn’t pressed charges yet, and I doubt he will. From what I hear, the pack is in chaos. He has no one reliable to hold things together while he’s in the city. Daisy is... a white elephant."
Seraphine didn’t respond. So truths didn’t deserve comntary.
They parted shortly after, agreeing on a ti to et the next morning.
By the ti Seraphine returned to the Stone mansion, exhaustion clung to her bones. She skipped dinner entirely and fell into bed, her mind racing long after her body surrendered.
The next morning, a gentle knock stirred her. "Sera," Corvine called softly through the door. "I hope you’re awake. I brought you breakfast. Don’t forget it’s going to be a long day."
She opened the door a few minutes later. When she saw the tray in his hands, her eyes brightened despite herself. "You did this for ?"
"Who else?" he asked, smiling.
"Thank you," she said, taking the tray. "I’ll be ready in an hour."
"Take your ti," Corvine replied. "I’ll get ready too."
***
Damon Locke’s office was exactly what Seraphine expected. Minimalist, expensive, and deliberately intimidating. Yet the mont they stepped inside, it was clear they had not co unannounced.
Damon rose from his seat, his gaze locking onto Seraphine with an intensity that unsettled her.
"Sera," he said slowly, a smile stretching his lips. "You look better than I’ve ever seen you."
He extended his hand but she hesitated, then frowned slightly. "Were you expecting ?"
His eyes darkened with sothing unreadable. "Your na is quite popular among the Sovereign Circle," he admitted. "I wasn’t sure it was you until now."
She ignored the implication. "What is the Sovereign Circle?"
"A club," Damon replied smoothly, "for the high and mighty."
He stepped back, gesturing for them to sit. "I may not be able to enter a business partnership with you," he continued, "but I can help you differently. If you want."
Seraphine inhaled deeply, steadying herself. This was unfamiliar territory, but she refused to flinch. "What kind of help?" she asked.
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