Captain Draven’s gaze was sharp enough to cut glass. His scarred hand drummed against the wooden table, each tap echoing through the iron-walled chamber. His dark eyes were fixed on Kain, calculating and cold.

  Kain sat casually in the chair across from him, legs crossed, arms resting on the armrests like he owned the place. Selene stood at his back, her daggers casually twirling between her fingers.

  Draven’s mouth tightened. “You’re playing a dangerous game.”

  Kain’s smile widened. “And I’m winning so far.”

  Draven’s gaze darkened. “That remains to be seen.” His hand drifted toward the knife on the table. “You said you wanted information about the system. Why?”

  Kain’s eyes glinted. “Because it’s broken.”

  Draven’s eyes narrowed.

  Selene leaned forward. “We know about the corruption. The irregularities in the system.”

  Draven’s hand tightened around the knife hilt. His gaze sharpened. “You have proof?”

  Kain’s smile sharpened. “I am the proof.”

  The air in the room tightened. The torches on the wall flickered.

  Draven’s eyes darkened. “Explain.”

  Kain leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “You know how most people are bound by the system’s rules? Level caps, class restrictions, skill limitations?”

  Draven’s gaze hardened. “Yes.”

  Kain’s smile sharpened. “They don’t apply to me.”

  Draven’s gaze softened. His hand left the knife and rested on the table. “You’re claiming to be an outlier.”

  Kain’s smile widened. “Something like that.”

  Draven studied him in silence. Then he stood and crossed the room to a metal cabinet. He opened it, withdrawing a leather-bound book. He flipped it open, his fingers tracing across the yellowed pages.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “Two hundred years ago,” Draven said, “there were rumors of an anomaly. Someone who could bypass the system’s restrictions. They called him the Hollowborn.”

  Kain’s brow lifted. “Catchy.”

  Draven’s gaze darkened. “The Hollowborn was destroyed by the system. The rules were restructured to prevent it from happening again.”

  Kain’s smile didn’t falter. “Then I guess I’m a glitch.”

  Draven’s mouth tightened. He closed the book and set it aside. “If the system identifies you as a threat—”

  “It already has,” Kain interrupted.

  Draven looked shocked. “And you’re still alive?”

  Kain’s smiled. “For now.”

  Draven studied him for a long moment. Then his gaze shifted toward Selene. “And you?”

  Selene’s eyes gleamed. “I’m along for the ride.”

  Draven’s mouth curled faintly. “I see.”

  Kain leaned back in his chair. “So, Captain… the question is, are you going to help us?”

  Draven’s eyes narrowed. “What exactly are you asking for?”

  “Information,” Kain said. “About the system. About the corruption. About the people pulling the strings.”

  Draven’s mouth tightened. “You’re talking about the Architects.”

  Kain’s brow lifted. “So they do exist.”

  Draven’s gaze sharpened. He sat down slowly, his hands folding on the table. “You’re in over your head.”

  “Probably,” Kain admitted. “But I’d rather drown fighting than sit on the shore.”

  Draven’s gaze darkened. Then he nodded once. “Fine.”

  Kain’s smile widened. “Excellent.”

  Draven’s hand drifted toward a drawer beneath the table. He slid it open and withdrew a small iron medallion etched with a black sigil. He slid it across the table.

  “Take this to the Raven’s Hollow,” Draven said. “There’s a woman there named Alina. Tell her I sent you.”

  Kain picked up the medallion, his fingers running across the etched surface. A faint pulse of magic thrummed beneath his skin. His gaze sharpened.

  “What’s the catch?” Kain asked.

  Draven’s smile was thin and dangerous. “If Alina deems you unworthy… she’ll kill you.”

  Kain’s smile sharpened. “Good thing I’m charming.”

  Draven’s eyes narrowed. “We’ll see.”

  Selene stepped toward the door. “Let’s go.”

  Kain stood and slipped the medallion into his pocket. “Captain,” he said with a nod.

  Draven’s gaze lingered on him for a long moment. Then he leaned back in his chair. “If you survive,” he said, “come back. We’ll have more to discuss.”

  Kain’s smile widened. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  They stepped out into the cold night air. The sky above the Iron Fang outpost was dark and starless, clouds drifting across the pale moonlight.

  Selene glanced toward Kain. “That was surprisingly effective.”

  Kain’s brow lifted. “Did you think I was going to fail?”

  Selene’s mouth curled faintly. “Statistically speaking… yes.”

  Kain smirked. “You wound me.”

  Selene’s gaze sharpened. “Alina isn’t going to be so easy to handle.”

  Kain’s smile widened. “Good. I’d hate to get bored.”

  Selene’s eyes glinted beneath the moonlight. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

  Kain’s smiled. “Absolutely.”