She is beautiful. Lukas couldn’t tear his eyes away from Cassia. Something about her made the garden appear a tad brighter, more inviting. The stress and fear of the past few days seemed much more manageable than they had just been before her arrival. She was significantly smaller than her brother and wore a tight-fitting emerald dress that cascaded down her body, adorned with a slit that ran up the dress, just above her knee.

  “I apologize my brother was dull,” she said, grasping the last cup of wine and taking a small sip. “He’s always rambling about fighting, the Legion, and the entire situation. Honestly, he has nothing else to talk about.”

  “To be honest, I wasn’t bored,” Lukas replied. “I was preparing to join my cousin’s Legion before his untimely demise. At least I would have had a chance to be a part of their life for a while.” Reza hadn’t been bothering him, and honestly, he was someone who might be able to provide some answers to the questions that had been bothering him. “Of course, there are many other topics we could discuss.”

  “Of course, I’ve just been discussing the new play at the city’s Amphitheater, which started last week.” Cassia smiled effortlessly, effortlessly changing the subject. She exuded an air of ease and tranquility, drawing Lukas closer to listen. There was something about her that seemed so at peace. “Kalia raved about it, Tavia; we should try to get seats next week.”

  “I also heard it was quite an impressive play,” Marie interjected before Tavia could respond. “Our family has a private box at the theater, so we can attend most performances if we desire.”

  Now, that’s a thought. Lukas latched onto Marie’s words, watching Cassia’s eyes gleam with interest. In the days since he’d awakened, Lukas felt a strong desire to protect his honor with Reza. The sword, along with himself and Marie participating in this party, seemed like a mere paltry reward for his life. Lukas couldn’t resist recognizing Reza further, and perhaps he could impress Reza’s sisters, especially Cassia, with another gesture of gratitude, which would double the benefits his family would receive. Taking his thoughts in stride, he made an offer. “We would be delighted if you would join us one night. It would be another wonderful way I could repay your brother for saving my life.”

  He kept his gaze fixed on Cassia, anticipating Reza’s probable rejection, similar to his uncle’s. However, securing the sisters’ support would complicate his denial of such an innocent request from the heir of the Sulli house.

  Lukas chuckled to himself as Cassia radiated delight at the idea. Turning, she discreetly glanced at her siblings for their opinions before responding. Within seconds, it appeared that the three siblings had engaged in a full-fledged conversation before him.

  “That would be wonderful. I trust it won’t be inconvenient for you. We wouldn’t want to cause any distress.” Cassia responded.

  Lukas turned to Marie, who gave him a subtle nod, barely noticeable. She had already lectured him on their way to the party and throughout the past day, urging him to take on more responsibilities. As the heir to their house, she genuinely wanted him to succeed. Marie had been exceptionally supportive over the last few days, assisting him in his recovery and providing guidance amidst the overwhelming tasks he had taken on.

  “Not at all. It’s the family box. I think Lord Sulli occasionally uses it. But I’m certain he won’t object to my request for the box,” Lukas said with greater conviction than he had initially. He was uncertain whether his uncle would have a problem or not. Marie would have stopped him if she had suspected he would deny the request.

  “Let’s say Friday night,” Lukas glanced at Marie, and she nodded in agreement. “I’m certain that will be the ideal night for an exceptional performance.”

  Perhaps it would be enjoyable, or at least an experience he could share with individuals interested in such activities. He had never attended a play before and had no idea if the story was good or not. For now, he would have to rely on Cassia’s friend’s assessment and form his own opinion on Friday.

  “Oh, you’re incredible. Thank you so much,” Cassia beamed. She leaned over and embraced him, giving him a brief kiss on the cheek. “I can’t wait any longer. Tavia, we have a lot to prepare for this week.”

  Lukas briefly wrapped his arms around Reza but quickly dropped them when he noticed her piercing gaze. Despite Reza’s expressionless face, his cold displeasure directed at Lukas spoke volumes. He knew he shouldn’t push his luck.

  “Lukas, let’s take a walk,” Reza suggested.

  Lukas nodded, slightly apprehensive about Reza’s reaction to such a minor incident. Perhaps he had done something wrong. He sincerely hoped not. Although he knew little about Reza, he respected his actions and didn’t want to jeopardize that. As he stood to accompany Reza, Lukas bowed respectfully to the women. “Yes, of course. I believe a walk to stretch my legs would be beneficial for me right now. I’ve been confined to bed for far too long. Ladies, we shall return shortly.”

  Marie exchanged a meaningful glance between Lukas and Reza before returning to her conversation with Tavia. Cassia, on the other hand, gave a slight frown to her brother but reluctantly joined Marie and Tavia’s discussion.

  Reza guided him through the party until they had left behind the party and moved to a more secluded area of the garden. Despite the lingering glimmer of lights behind the trees and the full moon casting enough illumination to still see Reza, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Reza was about to strike him. While he doubted Reza’s intentions, he couldn’t entirely rule out the possibility of something foolish happening.

  “What do you want to talk about?” Lukas asked, though it was evident that the conversation had to do with the play and his sister.

  Reza remained silent, instead having his arms looped into his belt, revealing two knives concealed beneath his armpits. Seconds ticked by as Lukas’s unease grew from the uncomfortable silence. It finally came to an end when a silver, ethereal wraith materialized on Lukas’s side.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Startled, Lukas jumped away from the shadow as it vanished, and Reza took its place. Lukas let out a cry, moving a step back from the man.

  Reza spoke in a low voice, ensuring only Lukas could hear him. “Be cautious with my sister, for both of your sakes.”

  “It was nothing, I swear,” Lukas retreated a step further. Reza disregarded Lukas’s panic and sat on a bench near the path’s edge, leaving Lukas standing alone. “Oh, come on, don’t be silly. No one was blind to either of you. But you must understand that I won’t tolerate my family being dishonored because some arrogant nobleman breaks my sister’s heart. You are now an heir to one of the most influential houses in the city, and Lord Sulli won’t be pleased if you pursue a lowly, insignificant noble.”

  Lukas yearned to respond. He hadn’t harbored such thoughts beyond recognizing Reza’s sister’s attractiveness. However, he also wanted to refute the notion that Reza’s family was ordinary. In the short time he had spent with them, it was evident that this was a family on the rise or destined to be. Each of them possessed something unique. But Lukas held his tongue, knowing he would appear foolish until Reza had finished speaking.

  “Befriend her. Take her to the play, for all I care. But do not give her any hint of anything more,” Reza lectured, his words devoid of anger but laced with advice and a touch of intimidation.

  “I would never do that, I promise. It wasn’t like that; she has an energy about her. It was refreshing after everything that transpired. She was simply so joyful when I made the offer,” Lukas rambled, attempting to explain his actions.

  Reza nodded in agreement, his demeanor lightening as he spoke. “I understand. She has a way of making everyone feel better and calmer around her. She radiates a positive energy that lights up the room. There’s nothing to it; she’s simply one of the happiest people I know, and I want to keep it that way.”

  The last words struck Lukas harder, and he took note of Reza’s words. “I promise to keep our friendship platonic. I genuinely hope that we can all be friends.” Despite their different social status within the city, Lukas sensed that a friendship with Reza would be a wise choice. He couldn’t help but wonder if it was the reason his uncle had made him go tonight. Plans within plans, Lord Sulli forever weaving a web of power and influence.

  “Of course, I have no reason not to accept your offer. I want to ensure that you understand that while we can be friends, my family and I are far below you, and there are certain etiquette we must adhere to.” Reza smiled, extending his hand. “To friendship.”

  Lukas grasped his hand. Reza had undergone a complete transformation, and it was comforting to understand his feelings. “As a friend, would you mind if I asked you a question?” Lukas inquired. If anyone could provide answers to his questions before he received martial and magical training, it could be Reza. Perhaps he would be willing to share his knowledge and help him navigate these new challenges. Better yet, he could steer the conversation away from Reza’s sister. Reza’s threatening demeanor had left a lasting impression on Lukas, and he didn’t want to face that again.

  “You may,” Reza replied, leaning back on the bench.

  “How do you know how to harness the power you received from your pact?” Lukas inquired, yearning to summon his wraith but resisting the urge. “I’m at a loss, and I fear I might cause harm if I proceed without guidance.”

  “Wise thinking. Many individuals are not as cautious about their power and end up hurting themselves by rushing into things without considering the consequences. You’ve already made a good start.” Reza remarked, scratching at his chin. It took a moment before he responded to Lukas’s question.

  “It varies from person to person. Some individuals passively utilize their power, while I, on the other hand, have to actively collaborate with Elana, grasp it, and unleash my power to manipulate her positions.” Reza explained. Lukas took a step back, observing as Elana materialized through the darkness, her silver eyes appearing first. She leaned against the bench beside Reza, her gaze never leaving his own.

  “How do you know her name?” Lukas asked. A few acquaintances of his referred to their wraiths by names. However, my wraith lacks a name that I am aware of.”

  “And many don’t have one either. We had to diligently search for her name. I experimented with various names until she settled on the one she preferred. Is it her actual name? I have no idea and don’t care to find out either way.” He looked up at her, and she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

  “So, should I do the same with mine?” Lukas exclaimed, grasping his power, and his crimson-uniformed wraith materialized beside him, glaring at Reza and Elana.

  They examined the wraith, and the man remained motionless as Elana gracefully approached and stood right before him. Despite being almost a head shorter, she never even flinched at the sight of his scarred arms and face.

  “Fascinating. He appears quite formidable. I always relish the opportunity to meet new wraiths whenever possible. Do you possess any knowledge of the powers he may have bestowed upon you?” Reza abruptly diverted the conversation.

  “No, Marcellus intended to assist me in uncovering the truth. Lord Sulli will now hire someone to investigate, but I thought I’d gain a head start by attempting to decipher it myself,” Lukas replied. If he was ahead of the curve, he could impress the family with his abilities and solidify his position as Heir. While Marie had supported him, there would likely be several family members who disapproved of the choice and sought to remove him from the position if they could.

  “The initial step should be to visit the city’s library. This wraith possesses an unusual appearance. I haven’t encountered many like him during my time. The censors possess tens of thousands of books detailing the various wraiths who have formed pacts with individuals throughout the history of Arkhen.” Reza finally addressed Lukas’s original question.

  “Why hasn’t anyone informed me about this?” Lukas expressed his frustration, his voice tinged with anger. His father or Marcellus should have shared this information with him. He took a moment to compose himself, trying not to harbor ill feelings towards his cousin; may his soul find eternal peace.

  “Most likely, it takes time, and it’s probable that your wraith isn’t mentioned in any of the books,” Reza explained. He gestured towards Elana. “She wasn’t. I spent several weeks reading those books without finding her. Either I’m her first pact or her other pact wielders never recorded her name in the books.”

  Reza’s words left a lot to ponder. When could he head to the library, and would his wraith even be there? If he found him, would the information he gathered be helpful? Plans began to form in his mind, but he needed more details.

  “Well, I have work to attend to,” Lukas turned to walk back but hesitated. “If she wasn’t mentioned in the books, how did you deduce her existence?”

  Reza smiled. “I kept trying to sense the connection between us until we changed positions. From then on, I practiced harnessing its power. I still have much to learn about its capabilities, and I discover new ways to utilize it constantly. It’s a gradual process, but I wouldn’t recommend attempting such a feat in your living quarters.” He chuckled. “I don’t think Lord Sulli would be pleased if you destroyed the manor. However, I would suggest starting by searching the books. If he’s mentioned there, then you’ll have a better understanding of what to expect.”

  “Knowing about the future is probably a wise bet. I agree that it would be foolish not to investigate this matter. Thank you,” Lukas said. “Let’s return to the party; I could use another cup of that wine.”

  Reza laughed, and they hurried back, allowing the wraiths to vanish as they locked eyes. Elana showed interest, while the crimson wraith remained enigmatic.

  Returning to the ladies, Lukas joined the conversation, eager to enjoy the rest of the party.