Orpheus stepped forward, his muscles tensed. "I won't let you hurt any of them," he growled. The masked man laughed, the sound chilling. "Oh, I don't plan on hurting her. Not yet, anyway. You see, the key to becoming like you, Orpheus, is to destroy your soul. And once that's done, I'll use your body as my vessel." Everyone in the room fell silent, the weight of the revelation settling over them like a thick fog. Alisha's heart raced, fear clawing at her throat. This man… he wants to kill Orpheus. She glanced at Orpheus, his face set in a grim expression. "You won't get the chance," he said, his voice low and dangerous.