NO MORE LIES

The sleek hum of Alaric's car faded into the silence of the abandoned warehouse as the two men stepped out. The air inside was damp and stale, illuminated only by the weak, flickering bulbs that cast long shadows on the cracked concrete floor.

Acantha stirred at their arrival, the faint echo of footsteps drawing her attention. She was chained tightly to a chair this time, her movements restricted, her defiance dulled but not extinguished. Her eyes flicked between Alaric and James as they approached.

Alaric's gaze hardened as he shot James a look of disapproval. "You've been too soft on her," he muttered, shaking his head. Without waiting for a response, he strode forward, stopping just short of Acantha.

Her fiery gaze locked with his, but he didn't flinch. Instead, he leaned in slightly, his voice calm but edged with steel. "So," he began, "what have you thought about the offer?"