Victor_graves

Synopsis

Detective Elias Mercer, known as ‘Mercy’ for his angelic demeanor, hides a mind as sharp as a blade and a heart as cold as the cases he solves. A former journalist framed and cast out, he now walks the thin line between justice and obsession, unraveling the city’s darkest secrets one case at a time.

When Adrian Holt, a man seemingly swallowed by the shadows, vanishes without a trace, Elias is dragged into a mystery far deeper than he anticipated. His only lead? Evelyn Drake—a woman who speaks in riddles and keeps secrets like currency. As Elias peels back the layers of deception, a familiar name resurfaces from his past: Nathaniel Voss, a phantom figure lurking behind countless crimes, always just out of reach.

With each step forward, the case tightens around him, drawing him into a web of corruption, fear, and a truth far more sinister than murder. The deeper Elias digs, the more he realizes—some ghosts aren’t meant to be found, and some truths are buried for a reason.

But Elias Mercer doesn’t believe in walking away.

And this time, the darkness is watching back.

Elias mercer: mercy in the shadows

The air inside Vale's private club was thick with cigar smoke and quiet tension. Elias adjusted his cuffs, scanning the room. Men in tailored suits whispered over their drinks, exchanging glances filled with concealed intentions. This was a place where power changed hands without a single bullet being fired—most of the time.

Collins muttered under his breath as they walked toward the main poker table. "I still think this is a terrible idea."

Elias smirked. "That's why it'll work."

Lucian Vale was already seated at the head of the table, his dark eyes gleaming as he spotted Elias. "Detective Mercer," he said smoothly. "I didn't think you'd have the guts."

Elias pulled out a chair, his movements unhurried. "I didn't think you'd be so eager to see me. Makes me wonder if you have something to hide."

A few of the men at the table chuckled under their breath, but Vale's expression remained unreadable. The dealer shuffled the cards, and the game began.

The chips moved fast, fortunes shifting with each turn of the deck. Elias played cautiously at first, watching, studying. Vale was a master at deception, but Elias wasn't here just to play—he was here to push.

After an hour, the stakes had reached dangerous heights. Elias leaned forward, placing a thick stack of chips in the center. "All in."

A murmur rippled through the table. Vale's expression didn't waver, but something flickered in his eyes. He didn't expect that.

Vale smirked. "Brave move, detective. But you should know—this game doesn't just cost money. It costs lives."

Elias met his gaze, his own smirk forming. "Then I hope you're ready to lose something valuable."