The Reckoning Begins

The storm inside Sterling Tower had shifted. Upstairs, the twins moved like deadly shadows, strikes precise, counters flawless—but even they sensed a deeper force at play. Ares’ instincts screamed that something below had changed the rules of the battle. Every movement of Lucian’s forces seemed slightly delayed, hesitant, like invisible hands were guiding them into traps they couldn’t perceive.

Ares whispered under his breath, tension coiling his muscles. ...