Damien sat at his desk in the private study area of his quarters, reviewing scrolls on advanced blood magic theory. Two weeks had passed since his Blood Bond with Lady Lilith, and his abilities had grown exponentially with each training session. Tonight, Lady Lilith attended a gathering of noble houses, leaving Damien to continue his studies alone.

  A subtle shift in the air was his only warning.

  His enhanced senses detected the disturbance an instant before a shadow detached itself from the corner of the room, materializing into a lithe figure cd in form-fitting dark attire. The intruder moved with practiced silence, a slender bde gleaming faintly in one hand.

  [Threat Detected: Assassin-css opponent] [Warning: Shadow magic detected] [Combat probability: 98%] [Survival estimate: Low]

  "Impressive wards on this manor," the assassin spoke, her voice carrying the distinctive echo effect of Umbravale shadow magic. "Most wouldn't have detected my approach."

  Damien remained seated, careful not to make sudden movements. "You're from Umbravale's shadow guild. An assassin wouldn't be deployed unless I was deemed a significant threat."

  The assassin tilted her head slightly, silver eyes studying him from above a mask that covered the lower half of her face. "Most targets attempt to flee or fight. You analyze."

  "Would either option be effective against an assassin of your caliber?" Damien asked calmly.

  A slight shrug. "No."

  Damien nodded. "Then analysis seems the rational choice."

  The assassin circled slowly toward him, bde held ready but not striking immediately. "You're the sve who received a Blood Bond from Lady Bloodfang. An unprecedented elevation that certain interests find... concerning."

  "I have a name," Damien replied. "It's Damien."

  "Names are irrelevant to this assignment." The assassin moved closer. "I am here to eliminate a potential disruption to established order. Nothing more."

  Damien's mind raced through options. Fighting would be futile against a trained Umbravale assassin. Fleeing would only dey the inevitable. His only advantage was the unexpected calmness he dispyed—something that seemed to intrigue his would-be killer.

  "Before you complete your assignment," he said carefully, "may I ask your name? It seems reasonable to know who ends my existence."

  After a moment's hesitation: "Nyx Shadowweave."

  The name confirmed what Damien had suspected. Nyx was mentioned in Lady Lilith's intelligence reports as one of Umbravale's most elite operatives, deployed only for targets of significant political importance.

  "Nyx," he acknowledged. "Your reputation precedes you. I'm curious what exactly your masters told you about me and why I'm deemed dangerous enough to warrant your specific talents."

  Nyx's silver eyes narrowed slightly. "A sve receiving a noble's Blood Bond creates dangerous precedent. Your existence suggests caste limitations are negotiable. Such concepts threaten established order."

  "And if your understanding of my purpose is incomplete?" Damien asked. "Professional thoroughness would demand complete information before elimination, wouldn't it?"

  The assassin remained silent, but her bde didn't advance.

  "I'd like to show you something tomorrow," Damien continued. "Something that may change your assessment of what I represent. After seeing it, if you still believe elimination is necessary, I won't resist."

  "You expect me to dey an assigned elimination based on a target's request?" Skepticism edged her voice.

  "I expect a professional of your caliber to ensure mission accuracy," Damien replied. "If you eliminate me based on insufficient understanding, your guild may inadvertently work against its own interests."

  Nyx studied him with calcuting intensity. "What could you possibly show me that would alter mission parameters?"

  "The truth of my activities here beyond Lady Lilith's research. If you're to eliminate me, you should at least understand what you're truly erasing."

  The assassin remained motionless for several long moments, weighing the unusual request. Damien maintained his calm demeanor despite the bde still poised to strike.

  "Until dawn," Nyx finally stated. "Not out of mercy, but professional thoroughness."

  "Thank you," Damien nodded. "Where shall I meet you?"

  "The old storage building at the eastern edge of the estate. One hour after midnight." Nyx stepped backward toward the shadows. "If this is deception, your death will be significantly less painless than it would be now."

  Without waiting for response, she melted back into the shadows and was gone, leaving Damien alone in his quarters.

  He released a slow breath, his outward calm finally giving way to the tension he'd been suppressing. An elite Umbravale assassin had been sent to eliminate him—clear evidence that his unprecedented advancement had attracted dangerous attention from those invested in maintaining strict caste hierarchies.

  [Threat Status: Temporarily Deyed] [Time Window: Until Dawn] [Recommendation: Prepare Demonstration]

  Damien had until dawn to convince a professional assassin that his existence served greater purpose than mere caste disruption. He would need to reveal aspects of his activities that he had kept hidden even from Lady Lilith—the secret work he had been conducting in the shadows of Bloodfang Manor.

  He began gathering what he would need for tomorrow's demonstration. Everything depended on convincing Nyx that Umbravale had fundamentally misunderstood his intentions. If he failed, dawn would bring his death at the hands of one of the most lethal operatives in the seven kingdoms.