I stared at Ellis Mitchell across the gleaming table of the Golden Phoenix, his offer of discipleship hanging in the air like a bad joke. The restaurant's ambient music seemed to fade away as all eyes turned to me, awaiting my reaction to what they surely perceived as an honor.
"An Inner Strength Master?" I repeated, my voice deliberately calm. A small smile tugged at my lips. "That's your offer?"
Ellis nodded with the self-assurance of someone unaccustomed to rejection. "Under my guidance, you could achieve that level within a year. Perhaps less, with dedicated practice."
Ming Chen leaned forward. "Ellis rarely takes disciples, Mr. Knight. This is quite an opportunity."
"Absolutely," Jonathan Drake chimed in. "Inner Strength Masters command tremendous respect in martial circles."
Caesar Nolan watched me carefully, his fingers lightly drumming against his wine glass. I could see the calculation behind his eyes—this alliance was important to him.
