As they reached a secluded clearing that he had previously chosen, Linus gently laid Isabel down, his eyes scanning her face for any signs of distress. Her chest rose and fell steadily, the peaceful rhythm a stark contrast to the chaos they had barely escaped. He allowed himself a moment to breathe, then quickly set to work.

  From his pack, he pulled out a length of sturdy rope. He worked swiftly, binding Isabel’s hands and feet with a practiced efficiency. Though she appeared unconscious, Linus knew better than to underestimate her. He needed to ensure she couldn’t escape or interfere with his plans once she awoke.

  Next, he retrieved a small vial filled with a potent sleeping potion. Tilting her head slightly, he administered a few drops to her lips, watching as she reflexively swallowed. Her breathing deepened almost immediately, her body relaxing into a deeper slumber. Satisfied, Linus tucked the vial away and rose to his feet.

  He needed to tie up one final loose end. Moving through the shadows with silent precision, Linus made his way back to where Louis’s body lay. The moonlight illuminated the scene, casting an eerie glow over the lifeless form of his former adversary. Linus knelt beside Louis, his expression unreadable as he took a moment to assess the situation. With a wave of his hand, tendrils of shadow magic curled around the body, lifting it gently. He carried Louis to a dense thicket, using the shadows to conceal the corpse among the underbrush, ensuring it wouldn’t be easily found.

  Just as he finished, Linus noticed movement in the distance. The first city guards had arrived, drawn by the collapse of the sanctuary. They fanned out, searching the area with cautious movements. Linus watched from his hidden vantage point, holding his breath as they scoured the surroundings. His shadow magic cloaked him in darkness, making him all but invisible.

  He waited, tense but patient, until he was certain the guards would find nothing of note. Only then did he slip away, merging seamlessly into the shadows.

  Returning to Isabel, Linus found her still unconscious, the sleeping potion working as intended. He lifted her carefully, cradling her limp form against him as he made his way back to the manor. The journey was fraught with tension—every rustle of leaves and distant footstep set his senses on edge. But he remained vigilant, using the shadows to mask their presence and avoid detection.

  At last, they arrived at the manor, its shadowed structure looming like a sentinel in the night. Linus moved cautiously, hugging the walls and keeping to the darkest corners. He knew he had to be careful; Mara’s men were stationed throughout the grounds, and he couldn’t risk being seen carrying an unconscious Isabel.

  A soft murmur of voices drifted from the courtyard, followed by the clink of armored boots shifting in place.

  A guard turned, his torch flickering across the corridor. Linus tensed. He shifted his weight just enough to melt deeper into the shadows, calling upon the magic that coiled around him like a living thing. Darkness swallowed him, dulling the edges of his form, masking his breath and presence.

  The guard took a slow step forward, the beam of light creeping dangerously close. Linus kept still, his heartbeat a measured cadence. The torchlight hovered for a moment—too long—before the man exhaled and turned away, muttering something about a cold draft.

  Linus moved, soundless, slipping past him with ease.

  He entered through a side door, one he had specifically ensured was not part of Mara’s patrol route. The manor was silent, save for the distant murmur of voices from the main hall. Linus kept his pace steady, navigating through the dimly lit corridors with the ease of someone who had mapped every corner in his mind.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Finally, he reached his private chamber, the door closing behind him with a soft click. He gently laid Isabel onto the couch, assessing her condition before locking the door.

  Linus called for Marcus, who arrived promptly. His expression shifted from curiosity to shock as he saw the unconscious Isabel. He opened his mouth to speak but quickly snapped it shut, masking his surprise.

  "Use the magic restrainer on her," Linus ordered, his tone leaving no room for questions. He gestured toward Isabel. "Then take her to the dungeon. Make sure no one sees this—not even Mara’s men."

  Marcus hesitated for a fraction of a second, his eyes widening as he realized the significance of what he was being asked to do. "Isabel?" he muttered under his breath, barely audible. "But... she’s Mara’s personal servant now."

  Linus’s gaze sharpened, a cold smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Precisely why we need to be discreet. Do as I say."

  Marcus nodded, moving swiftly to retrieve the magic restrainer from a locked cabinet. The device was a small, intricate piece of enchanted metal designed to suppress a mage’s abilities entirely.

  As he approached, Isabel stirred, her lashes fluttering for a brief moment before settling again. He clamped the restraint onto her wrist, and the instant it touched her skin, a dim, eerie glow flared around the band. Her body tensed slightly, a flicker of unconscious resistance, before her magic fell silent, sealed away.

  With a quick look to ensure the restrainer was secure, Marcus glanced back at Linus. "Where do you want her hidden?"

  Linus’s expression was cold and calculating. "Put her in the deepest cell. Make sure it’s guarded but discreetly. If anyone asks, say you’re inspecting the old storage rooms."

  Marcus gave a curt nod. As he lifted Isabel, Linus stepped closer, his voice lowering. "What’s the current situation at the border?" he asked, running a hand through his hair, masking the fatigue that lingered beneath his sharp gaze.

  Marcus frowned, shifting Isabel slightly before answering. "Tensions are high, but no one has made the first move. Curtis’s men and the forces from Sorenputhra are locked in a standoff. Officially, Sorenputhra claims it’s just military exercises. It’s a powder keg waiting for a spark. One wrong step, and we’ll have a war on our hands."

  Linus nodded thoughtfully, his mind already figuring out the implications. “Good. Let’s keep it that way for now,” he said, a thin smile curling his lips. “The longer they’re at a standoff, the more time we have to make our move.”

  "Signal our men to move to the border as well, discreetly," Linus instructed, his voice steady and commanding.

  Marcus nodded, fully grasping the urgency. "I’ll see to it immediately."

  As Marcus turned to leave, Linus held up a hand. "Wait," he said, already moving toward his desk. He sat down, his mind racing with the complexities of the situation. He dipped his quill into ink and began to write a message to Mara.

  Satisfied with the message, Linus folded the parchment carefully and sealed it with his personal insignia. He then picked up another sheet and started on a second note addressed to Eliza.

  Linus sealed the second note and handed both to Marcus. "Deliver these immediately. Ensure Mara and Eliza receive them directly—no intermediaries," he instructed, his tone leaving no room for error.

  As Marcus took the notes, Linus leaned in, whispering something low and urgent. The words made Marcus stiffen slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before he nodded, his expression turning resolute.

  "Consider it done, Master Linus," Marcus replied, his voice steady. He turned to leave, but Linus’s voice cut through the silence once more.

  "One more thing," Linus said. Marcus paused, looking over his shoulder.

  "Find Aria," he said. "Discreetly. If she’s gone to ground, I want to know where and why."

  Marcus’s brow furrowed slightly, but he gave a quick nod. "Understood."

  Linus’s fingers drummed lightly against the desk. He hesitated for just a moment—an uncharacteristic thing—but when he spoke again, his words were slower, more deliberate.

  "And keep watch for anything… unnatural," Linus added.

  Marcus straightened slightly, his muscles tensing. "Unnatural?"

  Linus’s gaze sharpened. "Azura is involved."

  Marcus blinked. "Who?"

  "You don’t know her, and I don't have time to explain," Linus said, his voice low. "But you’ll know if she’s near. We have unleashed something we shouldn't have.. I don't know what yet, but I intend to find out. Until then, if you see or hear of anything unusual—anything that doesn’t fit—report it to me immediately. The whole Phoenix balde was a hoax."

  Marcus studied him for a second as if weighing whether to press for more information. In the end, he simply nodded. "Understood."

  "Good," Linus said, satisfied. "Now go."

  Without another word, Marcus slipped into the shadows, vanishing down the corridor.