next move

Demiska's patience was wearing thin."If everything is fine now, please let me know when you plan to start training my son?"

Seraphina didn't respond immediately. Instead, she turned away.

"Brother Forrest, is your study room free?"

Forrest nodded silently.

"Dimitry, meet me there after dinner. Brother Forrest, you too."

Later, in the study room—

Forrest entered first. Asher was already by the window, feeding Leo, Seraphina's lion familiar. Seraphina sat calmly at her desk.

Forrest took a seat and crossed his arms.

"So, you're starting a game. If I'm not mistaken, it's for your man's sake. But what's in it for me? Why should I get involved in the Nightshade mess? I don't see a single reason."

Seraphina raised an eyebrow.

"You know I don't play unless the odds are certain, Brother."

She tossed a file toward him.

"Read it. I hope it'll change your mind."

At first, Forrest's expression was indifferent. But as he flipped through the pages, his brow began to furrow. Eventually, he looked up, disbelief written all over his face.

"Impossible."

Seraphina smiled faintly.

"You're free to investigate it yourself. Let me know your decision. Today is Saturday — I'm giving you until the end of the day. I'm leaving for CAM on Sunday ."

Forrest said nothing more. He stood up and left quietly, the file clutched tightly in his hand.

Asher glanced at the door, then turned to Seraphina.

"What was that about, babe?"

She moved beside him and hugged his arm, nuzzling his shoulder.

"Just... some truths."

Asher raised an eyebrow.

Seraphina gave a soft, cryptic smile—dark beneath the light.

"Like how Uncle Michael and Aunt Natale were childhood sweethearts... Or how Forrest's mother didn't die in childbirth but left and joined a rival realm. And she took his twin sister with her."

Asher frowned, but she continued."Like how the savior Forrest admired wasn't even the real person who saved him four years ago.

And how the man he loved only used Forrest to feed his pet monster — a creature that lives off his light core. Or how the treason was pinned on my mother when the true mastermind was Forrest's stepfather. And the master he trusted was the reason Daniel's mother died."

She paused, fingers tracing a strand of glowing light in the air.

"And the one who truly saved his life… is someone he hates."

Asher stared, stunned.

"That's... a lot."

Seraphina leaned her head on his shoulder and whispered,

"Truth usually is."

"So, what's the main story?" he asked.

She cupped his cheek, rubbing it gently.

"That's a story for another time."

Asher sighed but didn't push further. It was never fruitful anyway.

"He'll join us soon, then."

Her smile asked, Any doubt?

Asher rolled his eyes and shook his head.

There was a knock at the door.

"Come in," Seraphina said.

Dimitry stepped in.

She looked him up and down.

"Every morning, 5 to 7. Every night, 10 to 12. You'll report to me. Your sessions will be with me. Here are three rules for you.

Rule one: No questions. Just follow orders. Second, you cannot use anything I teach you until I give permission. 

Third, until I say so, you're not allowed to tell anyone I'm your master. Got it?"

Dimitry nodded.

"You can leave now."

He glanced at Asher, who yawned but remained at Seraphina's side, ignoring him.

Dimitry reluctantly left.

Asher was bored. Seraphina whispered,

"Get some beauty sleep. You're still healing."

He shook his head. Asher was stubborn and spoiled.

Just then, Danial appeared.

"What's the order, Sis?"

Seraphina's and Asher's expressions hardened as all three turned toward her magical chessboard.

"I want you to build a shadow army," she said.

"Silent. Hidden. But unmatched."

Danial made a move on the board.

"It's risky, Sis. But they already accused us of treason. I don't mind showing them what it feels like."

Seraphina looked at him. Danial's olive-gold hair made him striking. He was only thirteen, yet already sharp.

"No. I want it to be silent and nonexistent. Build a three-part communication chain.

First layer: hawks. They observe the targets. None of them should know the others.

Second: executioners. They'll be the front line. They can know each other, but not how many factions exist or what kind of users we employ. They should never know who gives the orders. 

Third: core members. They'll have direct access to their subordinates. Although they won't be aware of the subordinates in other teams, you'll oversee everything.

Asher interjected,

"I'll help choose the mages. Old loyalists from the South Tower and their children. Talents from CAM. And unknown mages we can trust."

Seraphina moved another pawn.

"Except for Demiska, every main house member will get three shadow protectors—and they can never know."

Danial grumbled,

"But that bitch needs supervision."

Asher explained,

"The moment we push Dimitry as the next head, the Council will grow wary. Demiska becomes a useless pawn in their eyes."

Danial chuckled,

"So, without our protection, the Council will take care of her. Heh, that tramp deserves it."

Seraphina's voice was cold.

"Before the succession, no celebration. Our identities must remain hidden.CAM is better for that."

Danial frowned.

"But why not leave me here? I could work from here, safely."

Asher answered,

"Here, you're still a target. In CAM, no one will take you seriously. No one will suspect what you're truly capable of."

Danial looked uneasy.

"Then who's watching over things here?"

Seraphina smiled, eyes still on the board.

"There's someone. And Dad's been handling it for years."

Danial said, "We need a tech master, some surprise recruits, and new blood in our subsidiaries. The whole company needs to be free of spies."

Asher continued,

Grandpa originally owned 90% of the company. He gave each of his six children 10% and then gave Uncle Michael an additional 15% for serving as CEO. Grandpa now keeps 15% for himself. So, the main branch of the family owns 35%, the second branch owns 20%, and the third branch owns 20% as well."

Seraphina added,

"That means we four siblings each hold 5% of our parents ' estate. But if Dimitry gets the CEO chair, he'll be the only one in the main house with 20%."

Danial muttered,

"Not enough. Like it or not, Dimitry needs at least 35% to be stable and untouchable."

Asher agreed,

"Uncle Michael isn't secure with only 25%. Additionally, Dimitry remains naive and lacks experience. The Council will take advantage of this and play dirty."

Seraphina's gaze hardened.

"Don't worry. The game just started. Spread rumors: Forrest is abandoning the Nightshade Corp—because he sees no future in it."

Asher added,

"Also spread that Grandpa is unhappy—both with Dimitry and with Forrest's decision."

Danial shrugged,

"Well, it's not a lie, so Grandpa can't protest."

They chuckled bitterly.

A little sad… for their old grandfather.