Shadows in Motion

Liam stood in the devastated street, his fists balled as Azrael's words cut deep into his bones.

"You are a key."

"A key to the end of everything."

His gaze blazed with ferocity. The Abyss Order wanted him? Good.

He was going to make them quake in fear instead.

Riven folded her arms, golden eyes glinting. "So, what's the plan?"

Liam took a slow breath. "We locate the Abyss Order." His tone was firm, but beneath it lay a hard edge—a cold, analytical one.

He wasn't the same man who'd been running for his life just a few days ago.

He was finished running.

Noctis hummed in his head. "That's crazy, but dumb. We don't even know where they are."

Liam's lips twisted into a sour smile. "We don't have to hunt them."

Riven's eyebrow shot up. "And why's that?"

Liam spun to face her, his voice low and ominous.

"Because they'll come to us."

---

The rest of the afternoon was spent on preparation.

Liam and Riven strode to an underearth base, one of the numerous ancient safe houses employed by mercenaries and renegade warriors.

The air was stale, the acrid smell of dust and rusty metal clung to it. Guns, maps, and pilfered gear littered the tables.

Other fighters slumped in the corners, regarding Liam with curiosity.

Riven strode into the room, nodding greetings to a few individuals he recognized. "It's not much, but it'll do."

Liam disregarded the stares as he took a seat. "We require information. The Abyss Order won't be sitting around after what has transpired."

Riven smiled, spinning a dagger between her fingers. "Fortunately for you, I have a contact who can assist."

Liam's brow furrowed. "Who?"

She smiled. "An informant. His name is Cyrus. He sells city gossip on the black market, and if there is anything about the Abyss Order moving in the city, he'll be aware."

Liam leaned in, interest sparkling. "Where is he?"

Riven's smile grew bigger. "Little hole in the wall called The Rusted Fang."

Liam scowled. "Sounds like a rave."

"Oh, it isn't," Riven replied happily. "But that's what's fun."

The Rusted Fang was more raucous than Liam had anticipated.

A dirty tavern squashed between crumbling buildings, packed with mercenaries, thieves, and assassins searching for their next transaction.

Flickering red lights dangled from the ceiling, casting twisted shadows on the patrons. The air reeked of cheap alcohol and blood.

Liam wore his hood up as he trailed behind Riven amidst the raucousness. He could sense the gazes upon him.

This was not a place for strangers.

A giant of a man towering over him with arms scarred walked between them. "You lost, kid?" He spoke with his voice thick with amusement.

Liam stared up at him, face blank. "Move."

The man chuckled. "Or what?"

Liam's shadows shifted.

The man's smile slipped. His instincts were screaming to step back, but pride prevented it.

It was a mistake.

Liam leaned forward, hand spilling forth—shadows encircled the man's throat before he could move.

Laughter at the bar froze.

Liam dragged him into close proximity, his silver eyes glinting softly. "Do I have to repeat myself?"

The man went white. He stumbled backward, gasping for air.

He did not impale them again.

Riven regarded Liam with an admiring expression. "Well, that was theatrical."

Liam didn't listen. "Where's Cyrus?"

Riven surveyed the room, then nodded. "There."

In the corner of the bar, a dark-haired, wiry man in a booth sat with one hand supporting a drink and the other a deck of cards.

His gaze jerked up the moment they were in sight, his eyes fixed on them with curiosity.

"Cyrus," Riven said, sitting across from him. "We need to talk."

Cyrus grinned. "Ah, Riven. Always cause trouble." He looked over at Liam. "And here is the Shadowborn everyone's been gossiping about."

Liam didn't flinch. "You know who I am?"

Cyrus laughed. "Oh, everyone's been gossiping about you." He inched closer. "The Abyss Order is looking high and low for you."

Liam's expression set. "Then inform me where they are."

Cyrus let out a breath, stirring his drink idly. "They're moving in the lower district, around the vacant cathedral. But if you're going there."

His smirk disappeared.

"Be careful."

Liam scowled. "Why?"

Cyrus leaned in, his voice barely audible.

"Because they're no longer hunting you."

Liam's breath hung in the air.

Cyrus' gaze turned cold. "They've begun taking other Shadowborn."

---

There was a pause between them.

Liam balled his fists. "What do you mean 'taking them'?"

Cyrus let out a breath. "I mean, they're taking them alive." He sat back in his chair, his expression serious on Liam. "And no one knows why."

Riven's face darkened. "That's not normal."

Liam's heart pounded in his ears. The Abyss Order wasn't killing threats anymore.

They were capturing them.

Liam leapt to his feet. "Where is the cathedral?"

Cyrus raised an eyebrow. "You're going there now?"

Liam's silver eyes flared. "Of course I am."

Cyrus laughed. "You're suicidal or brave. Either way…" He pushed a crumpled, small map across the table.

"Please don't die."

Liam took the map in silence.

Just as they were leaving, Cyrus shouted.

"Oh, and there's something else."

Liam turned around.

Cyrus grinned. "You're not the only one looking for them."

Liam's face hardened. "Who do you mean?"

Cyrus shrugged. "Someone else inquired about the Abyss Order a couple of hours ago."

Liam's chest tightened. "Who?"

Cyrus' grin widened.

"A man in tattered black robes."

Liam and Riven froze.

Azrael.

Liam exhaled sharply, turning away. If Azrael was already moving, then things were worse than he thought.

Riven adjusted her daggers. "Looks like we're not the only ones hunting tonight."

Liam's shadows curled around him, pulsing with determination.

Then let the hunt begin.