Defy The Alpha(s) Chapter 224: Ignis

In the dead of the night, stood a certain warehouse which had once been a place of honest work, but now, was nothing more than a den of sin.

So of the fense around it had fallen while rusted, slightly ajar gate barred the entrance with a battered "Keep Off" sign hung there. The main gate’s lock consisted only of a chain looped through holes, that anyone with half a brain could undo. But that was the point because only fools or dead n tried to trespass.

This was Red Dragon territory.

Two monstrous dogs with foaming maws and gleaming teeth prowled the periter, their low growls ant to ward off any wanderer.

Inside, naked fluorescent tubes buzzed overhead, illuminating the sorry sight of n, won, and even children stripped down to their underwear, bagging and packing precious white powder into sealed pouches.

A handful of tough-looking enforcers patrolled with weapons in hand, ensuring no one stole so much as a pinch of their rchandise.

But the real business took place in a separate room, its door guarded by two an-eyed thugs. Samuel sat at the head of a long tal table, his fingers idly tapping against the surface. He was the underboss of Red Dragon. Second only to their Don, Titan.

On the opposite side of the table sat their guest, Umal, a brown-skinned man with neatly trimd beards, and ruffled brown hair that sohow made him look more dangerous than unkempt.

Two of Samuel’s ard n stood on either side of him, rifles in hand. But Umal wasn’t intimidated. His own two guards flanked him just as confidently, each ard to the teeth.

Samuel rapped a knuckle on the table. "Where is it?"

Umal signaled one of his cronies, who stepped up carrying a brushed-steel briefcase. He set it down gently. When Umal flicked the latches, it opened to

rows of small, delicate bottles, each filled with a milky-white liquid, nestled neatly into their cushioned compartnts.

Umal lifted one between his fingers, rolling it in the light before finally speaking.

"We call it Ignis. That is Fire." He smiled, the word rolling off his tongue with satisfaction. "Because once it’s in the bloodstream, it burns explosively, unlike anything else before it."

The upper gang mbers seated at the sides of the table exchanged wary glances.

Umal continued, his voice smooth and honeyed with greed. "Just one taste, and the victim is hooked." His fingers tightened around the bottle.

"Then cos the real beauty of it, the power." He chuckled, dark and knowing. "For five minutes, they will feel limitless. Strength beyond human ans. Speed to match a wolf’s. A high unlike any other childish drug on the market."

Then he set the bottle down and leaned forward.

"And once they co down from that high?" His smile widened, cruel and serpentine. "The withdrawal is five tis worse. That’s what makes it so profitable. The addict will do anything, and I an, anything, to get another taste."

He leaned back, self-assured. "I see a promising partnership here."

There was silence in the eting room.

Samuel glanced at the other ranking mbers seated around the table. Their gazes t in silent conversation.

Finally, Samuel spoke. "And how do we know your claims about these powers are true?"

Umal’s eyes glimred with anticipation. "I thought you’d ask for a demonstration."

He motioned to his n and one stepped forward, grabbed a bottle, and extracted its contents with a needle.

Umal’s voice was as smooth as a salesman closing a devilish deal. "We’ll need... an experint. "

Samuel nodded to one of his own. The man slipped out and returned shortly after, dragging a pitifully emaciated figure inside. The man was no other than their tester and his eyes lit up feverishly at the sight of the injection.

"Give !" he begged, already reaching desperately for the syringe.

Samuel gave a small nod. Umal’s henchman moved in, jabbing the syringe into the tester’s scrawny arm. Everyone watched intently. At first, nothing. Then the man groaned, dropping to his knees as though in agony, clutching his head and snarling like a beast.

A mont later, his agonized groan twisted into a maniacal laughter. His head snapped up, and his wide, dilated eyes glead with a sick, unnatural euphoria.

"It feels so good," he whispered, almost reverently. "It’s so good. I’ve never felt anything like this before."

Umal stood before the tester, "How do you feel?" he asked.

The tester stared at his own hands, eyes wide with awe. "Powerful. Like I can do anything."

Umal smiled like a proud father. He turned to Samuel. "Now, we’re on a ti limit. So let’s test it out in a rather... productive way, shall we?"

Samuel’s eyes narrowed. "What do you an?"

"Let’s say, perhaps there’s soone at this table you’ve been aning to eliminate."

The air in the room shifted and Samuel’s n stiffened.

Umal continued, his tone almost amused. "Maybe soone’s been stealing from you. This might be the perfect ti to make an example."

A cold chill settled over the room. No one dared to breathe.

Then, Samuel spoke. "Xander."

A ripple of shock followed. Xander’s eyes snapped up, fear etched in them. "Boss, please... it was just once—!"

But Samuel’s face was like stone. That was when Xander realized there’d be no forgiveness.

"Shit!" he swore, leaping from his seat in a last-ditch attempt to flee.

But it was too late.

With terrifying speed, the drugged tester went after him, eyes shining with twisted excitent.

Xander sprinted for the exit, but before he made it three steps, the tester lunged, grabbing him by the neck.

The room watched in horrified silence as the tester lifted Xander effortlessly into the air. A sickening crunch was heard as he slamd his skull into the closest wall, smashing it like an overripe lon. Brain matter splattered down the floor in a grueso display.

The tester dropped him like a piece of garbage, panting heavily, then let out a triumphant laugh so wild, it sent a chill through even the most hardened n in the room.

Umal turned back to Samuel, smirking.

"Shall we discuss numbers now?"