r arms. "Oh come on, Jason... is th

You didn't come all the way out her

m honestly impressed-you, of all people, climbing to S-Rank. Who would'v

. "What's more impressive is watch

d. "You picking a

se lazy limbs," he said coolly. "Or are yo

truck

hat do

ke a blade of cold steel. "Enough," she said flatly. "

nked red. The plane's AI buzz

e aircraft with

oser to Raven and asked in a low voice, "Alright,

warmth. "You never

a ghost operation. She's the worst in her class-if she dies out there

ng. "Still playing chess

ources dragging out the inevitable? A broken weapon is

her breath. "You're

ll entertained,

rd Daphne, sitting qu

en again she might not even make

d. "The cloc

GHT - EN ROUTE

ers forced into a temporary truce. Jason leaned against the window, arms crossed

ng. Across the aisle, Daphne sat near the window, tense but qu

aid loud enough for everyone to hear "anyone wanna bet o

w about we bet on how long y

t little mask on before it slips." Her eyes flicked toward Daphne, her voice mocking. "You must be feeling all special now th

ust stared out the wind

sil

t c

d seraph

snapped, turning to Riley. "After I

he floor, voice flat. "A little reminder might do her

e dropped to a murmur. "We sh

arkly. "And what's a

bbed her by the arm. She barely got

p. You talk

the plane when a hand caught Seraphina's wri

o

't kind now. T

doing?" he asked, his tone

Don't pretend anymore. We're not at the agency. You don

added with a grin. "No rules, no eyes. N

peak. He simp

en he

d to. It was dark. Sharp. And it didn't stop right away

e calm, war

omeone els

smiling wide. "I don't

andon looked up from hi

eyes made her heart stop. There was nothing

Watching you walk around like some trembling little lamb, and resisting th

a step back, un

er. His voic

anted to see if you'd cry, beg, scream. There's an art to it, you know-watching hope

d closer

agency, I can do whatever I want. No

been holding her breath. The man standing in front of her... wasn't the same kind-hearted Howl she'

. when we get to Saint Lucian, there's a pretty good chance the enemy captures you. And when they do... they won't kill y

t. Her entire body screamed at her

ul. "Honestly? I should just do t

sleeve-its curved, blackened edge gleaming like a pre

AN

h of sparks. Howl's blade was

eyes locked onto Howl like a hunter watc

a predator sizing up another apex beast. His voice was calm-but deadly. The

ut this?" His blade still buzzed faint

He raised both hands lazily. "Relax, Jason. I was just playin

"Try that again. Let's see

as he slowly turned away-but then he spun back, his

us, "just because Raven put you in charge doesn't mea

bored. "Yeah, Jason," she echoed with a scoff. "Quit acting all

t. Better a quick death now than a slow one when the

was

the room shifted. The air grew heavier

and slammed into the wall beside Riley's face, th

barely controlled rage, v

More. Word.

anished. Riley's hand twitched near h

eavy. The air thickened-his bloodlust spilling out like a wave of pressur

his voice. He

dly, his eyes like twin blades. "Three aga

aphina and Riley, unblinking. "No discipline

d ten degrees. His killing intent w

on muttered, "and I won't ne

ence-and the feeling th

ne s

back to his seat. Seraphina followed, eyes twitching,

, and walked silently

hands trembled as she stared at the dagger still embedded

the seat beside her, holding two can

much drama on field trips, or

inked, st

y. If anyone else pulls a knife, I'll

hne let out the tiniest

hell with ex

ken. Brandon plopped down beside

there," he said, rubbing the back of his ne

m slowly, her vo

tabbed. I know I'm just a D-rank, but this

handbook." He leaned in, lowering his voice like he was sharing a

nked. "Wai

, I'd leave him alone for a whole day. No jokes,

"You bribed hi

ess," he said proudly, pointin

despite herself. "But...

ed to fight before noon. Kidding. Honestly, I'm more like...

weapon, Brandon. You're more than that. You're kind. And... funn

as her face go

you," she said w

just ignited. "Cool cool cool. Uh-did you have to g

her head, co

at rigid, pretending to stare at a

ked. "You'r

eamed. "A

ng when Howl appeared

ut earlier... sorry if I scared you. But hey, if you ever feel lonely, I'm always aroun

vanished. Her c

"I need some air," she

ist. "Hey... maybe now's not

d out of his grasp. "I'm fine," she said, her v

ing in his chest. Can you blame her? After ev

hours

t cold, but Brandon kept glancing towar

r to Jason and whispere

deal like that wouldn't keep Brando

ring top-secret intel. "It's Daph

a deadpan s

r passed out... or DEAD." Brandon threw

he point before I make

out a neatly wrapped box like it was a pe

ed. Brando

You're thinking, 'W

n. "I'm thinking I should'v

ffed. "Fine. Guess I'll just call

"Where's th

athroom door, clearing

in there?"

, then muttered, "I'm c

the floor, was Daphne-fast asleep. Her arms wrapped

eside her and st

unreadable. He brushed a strand of hair from her face with two fin

y snapped open,

I wanted to kill you, you w

demeanor, jolted upright a

scrambling back like h

mess, breath uneven. Jason just r