Secrets

The journey to Nicholas's estate was far from easy.

Alex moved swiftly, cutting down anyone who dared cross his path. The first wave had been mere bandits—lowly mercenaries who thought they had a chance against him. They never did. The second wave, however, had been different. They were trained.

Assassins.

Alex knew the difference immediately. Their movements were precise, their weapons coated in poison, and most telling of all, they fought in silence. No battle cries, no desperate shouts—only death.

Yet they still weren't enough.

Alex met them head-on, his sword a blur under the moonlight. He twisted, dodging a dagger meant for his ribs, and countered with a brutal slash to the attacker's throat. Blood sprayed, and the man collapsed without a sound.