73

73

MARCUS

The alley was dim, lit only by the flickering streetlight above. I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, waiting for Spencer to show up. He was always anxious, always worrying about something. I could feel it in the air. He rushed into view, his face pale and his breath quickened.

“Marcus,” he said, glancing around as if the shadows might swallow him whole. “We need to talk. Annalise is up to something. She’s gathering support in the other realm.”

I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “And? What of it? Does she think she can actually threaten us?”

Spencer stepped closer, his eyes wide with concern. “You don’t understand. She’s more powerful than she looks. If she gets enough support, it could mean serious trouble for us.”

“Trouble?” I scoffed. “What kind of trouble? She doesn’t have what it takes to challenge me. She’s all bark and no bite. You’ve seen it.”

“She’s not alone anymore. She’s got allies,” Spencer insisted, urgency bleeding into his tone. “This isn’t just about her.