"I'm sorry, Miss. The Main House is off-limits to those residing in the guest wing," Relen's voice carried into Cane's room as he lay sketching.
"Oh. Well, I knew that," came a familiar voice. "I was just hoping to chat with Cane."
Cane peeked out the door. "We don't let just any riffraff into the Main House."
Zio—Lightning Queen, troublemaker, barefoot visitor—wrinkled her nose. "No?"
"Only invited riffraff," Cane smirked. "It's fine, Relen. She's allowed. Add her to the visitor list."
Relen inclined his head. "As you say, Young Master."
"Oh, and Relen—could you send a message to the Olivara Auction House? I'd like to see Nina, if she's available."
"Of course, sir."
Zio stepped in, relaxed in a buttoned shirt and soft pants, barefoot as always. "Your butler is terrifying. I almost cried."
Cane rolled his eyes. "Come on. I was working on something."
He led her through a set of double doors into the master bedroom.
"Goodness," Zio breathed, taking in the room. "This is nice."
Cane chuckled. "It is."
She sat on the bed, eyes drifting to the sketches. "Redesigning a blunderbuss? Didn't you already fix that?"
"Sure. But we can always do better," Cane replied, sorting the drawings. "Why are you really here?"
Zio gave a sly smile. "Damn. You're good." She leaned in. "Something big went down today. I don't know what, but it's being locked up tight at the highest levels."
"Ask the Archmage."
Zio stared. "Seriously? First, I haven't seen the Archmage. Second, we're not exactly chat buddies. He gives an order, I salute. That's it."
Cane grinned. "Fair. Our team captured someone important."
Her voice dropped. "How important?"
"Important enough for Telamon to bump us up to first tier."
Zio's jaw dropped. "You're kidding."
"Nope."
She let out a long whistle. "Damn. Big fish. Would I have heard of them?"
"Definitely."
Before she could press further, Cane walked to the window and opened it. A second later, Pudding swooped in and landed on his shoulder.
Zio raised a brow. "Showoff."
"Been thinking about getting a bonded beast yourself?"
"Yeah… I don't have one yet."
"You should. They grow on you." Cane stroked Pudding's head. "Tor's been working with the shadow wolf, too."
A knock at the doorway announced Relen's return.
"Excuse me, Young Master. The Olivara Auction House replied—Miss Nina will visit tomorrow at ten."
"Thank you." Cane stood and stepped into the hall. "Do you know that empty spot past the gardens?"
"Where the old aviary was?"
Cane nodded. "I want a small cottage built there. Three bedrooms. Keep it tasteful—make it match the rest of the estate."
If Relen was surprised, it didn't show. "I'll get you quotes and a few floorplans."
"Just the quotes," Cane said. "You pick the floorplan."
"As you say, sir."
Zio followed Cane down the hall, her voice light. "Building a cottage for family?"
Cane paused by the railing, watching as Relen disappeared into the kitchen. "No. Everyone else lives here. Relen's the only one commuting in."
"The cottage is for your butler?"
Cane nodded. "He runs everything. Living in the city puts him and his family at risk."
Cane slept peacefully, but woke after only a few hours. Glancing at the open window, he noticed Pudding was gone. He touched his falconer rune, and his stargaze shifted to amber.
Far below, the city slept—except for those who didn't. Their purposes varied. Three figures followed a strolling couple, waiting until they passed a dark alley before striking. Using clubs instead of blades, the attackers robbed them, leaving the pair bruised but alive.
Near the noble sector, a dark figure sat calmly on a ledge high above the street, gaze fixed on a lit window across the way. A single long blade rested over one shoulder. This wasn't a thief.
Cane was already slipping on his black raiding gear and heartguard before he realized he'd made the decision. He sprinted down the hall, exited through the front door, and grabbed Prince from the stable, galloping through the gate.
Straight down Market Street, eight blocks, then a left, two more blocks. He tied Prince off and activated stealth, running the rest.
The figure had crossed the street and was pulling himself up a rope near the window.
Cane muttered a curse. The intruder was already reaching for the frame, sliding it open.
With no other options, Cane immersed into his gear. Starlight burst overhead. The figure froze.
Cane surged forward, shield raised, and slammed into his target—sending them both through the window in a crash of glass, wood, and metal.
He felt bones break beneath the impact. Without hesitation, Cane drove Starbolt into the man's neck. The attacker convulsed once and died with a rattle.
A girl—barely in her teens—sat frozen in fear. Wide-eyed.
Cane deactivated his heartguard and lowered his weapon. "Don't be afraid," he said gently. "I saw this man trying to get into your window."
Voices echoed from the stairwell—two of them. But they didn't enter.
"Who is that?" Cane asked.
"My bodyguards," the girl whispered, her voice trembling.
Cane frowned. Why wouldn't they burst in, weapons drawn? Especially after that noise?
The doorknob rattled. The door shook—but it never opened.
Decision made, Cane picked her up and shifted to the street. His boots skidded on the dirt before he found balance and ran.
He was out of breath by the time he reached Prince. The girl hadn't moved, still clinging tightly.
Cane activated his psi-rune.
Cane:Meet me in my room.
Fergis: It's 2 a.m.
Clara:Okay!
Dhalia:Give me a minute.
Cane galloped into the courtyard, dismounted in a fluid motion, and carried the girl in one arm.
Spud stood, head tilted, and followed when Cane strode past.
Clara was walking down the hall when he arrived at his room.
"Can you walk?" he asked gently.
The girl trembled, so Cane sat her in a chair beside his desk.
"Cane?" Clara appeared at the door, freezing at the sight of the teen wrapped in a blanket. "Who is this?"
"Not sure," Cane said. "I saw someone trying to enter her window and stopped him."
The girl nodded, raven curls bobbing. "I'm scared."
Clara moved closer, her freckled face warm. "You're safe now. We're cadets from the Magi Academy. Have you heard of it?"
Another small nod.
"I'm Clara, and this is Spud." She pointed. The huge dog padded closer, calm and brave. "Can you tell us your name?"
"Melina…"
Fergis and Dhalia arrived, eyes wide at the sight.
Clara sat on the floor, scratching Spud behind the ears. "We can contact your parents."
Melina shook her head. "T-Thank you." Her blue eyes found Cane. "I saw the man opening my window. I couldn't move. Then you flew through it."
"More of a dive, really," Cane smiled. "The house I found you in—merchant quarter. Are your parents merchants?"
"My mum was. Before she passed."
"I'm sorry. Would you like something to eat, or to rest?"
She nodded but didn't answer.
Cane studied her—scared, yes, but something didn't add up. Manicured nails, carefully styled hair, silk nightclothes. This wasn't a street orphan.
Cane: This girl is someone. Let's keep an eye on her until we can talk to Telamon.