Deep into the night at the Ayr clan's ancient stone fortress.At the top of the steep stone staircase, the massive doors of the castle were shut tight. Loran, cloaked in his overcoat, hunched over and trembled at the entrance.Desperate for his clan's aid, he had not stopped once since leaving Phoen
With the Black Maple Master's entrance, Lennox stood up slowly from her spot by the fireplace, her eyes glinting with a dangerous light. Next to her, the young girl in the masked gown was just as ready for a fight, her hand flicking subtly to reveal a small, shining dagger."You're no match for me."
The Black Maple Master then knelt beside Lennox's body, rummaging with purpose.What was he looking for?The underlings exchanged puzzled glances. What could be so important on the body of an old woman? Did the Master have some peculiar fascination?They hesitated, uncertain whether to make themselv
However, Alice, in her current state, could not possibly understand the nurse's command."Eat!" The nurse, clearly irritated and lacking patience, shoveled the oatmeal toward Alice's mouth with such force that it cut her gums, leaving a streak of red to flow from the corner of her delicate, cherry-l
At the Ol' Mare dock, aboard the New Chesire Group's opulent cruise ship."Can somebody clue me in on where we are?""Holy smokes, all the branch heads of the Ayr family have been rounded up here. Who's got the guts to pull this off?""What's the big idea? Someone step up and fill us in."They had a
Dead? Just like that, with a casual conversation, a life was snuffed out?"Clan leader Alice, the South Mureica branch wishes to pledge allegiance.""The Black Hawk Nation branch wishes to pledge allegiance."…Fear had gripped them. Submission was a far better fate than death.Thus, Alice stood as
The Black Maple Master acted without a second thought, seizing his underling by the shoulder and hurling him into the line of fire. To him, people were mere pawns, nothing more than tools to be used."Damn!" The underling silently raged against Black Maple, deeming him less than human. After over 10
In Ol' Mare City, Alexander announced his return, his voice echoing before he even appeared, arms laden with exotic treasures from afar.However, that homecoming was unlike any other. No welcoming faces greeted him.Inside the villa, his family gathered, a shadow of gloom hanging over them.A strang