**Elarion's POV**
The man extended a hand, his smile too practiced to be genuine. "My name is James Carlton."
*James Carlton.*
The name hit me like a bullet. The journalist who'd first exposed Jo's crimes—before vanishing without a trace. Or rather, before Jo *made* him vanish.
Ayase sipped her drink, unfazed. "What do you want?"
"I'd prefer to talk in my car," James said, glancing over his shoulder.
"No. We don't trust you," Ayase said flatly.
James exhaled, adjusting the mic clipped to his collar. "Fair enough. Let's be direct. I'm investigating a powerful businessman's crimes. I need your help." His voice dropped to a whisper, as if the shadows themselves might betray him.
I tensed. "What kind of help?"
"I need you two to roam the streets at midnight. When his men try to kidnap you, I'll record everything. I swear, I'll get the police to intervene before they hurt you."
Ayase let out a cold laugh. "Oh, how *noble*. Let me guess—the businessman is Jo. You want us as bait so you can get your big scoop. What do *we* get? A pat on the back? We're not martyrs."
I frowned. "Why us?"
Ayase's grip on my wrist tightened. "Because I'm the mayor's daughter. My father probably put him up to this—'for peace and order.'" She sneered. "And you? James here assumed you'd follow me blindly because we're *close*." Her glare could've melted steel. "Am I right?"
James flinched. "Your father agreed—"
"I said *no*." Ayase yanked me away. "We're leaving."
As we walked, my mind reeled. *The mayor's daughter?* Since when? And why did James's plan feel like a death sentence?
**Carlos's POV**
The safehouse was a mess of bandages and exhaustion. Joo-hee worked silently, stitching Near's broken ribs while monitoring Elarion's unconscious form. Triyon snored in the corner—typical.
The door creaked open.
"Look at you, Carlos! Still awake?" Rin chirped. Dawn bled through the curtains, but sleep felt like a luxury we couldn't afford.
"I'm fine," I muttered.
Shim didn't ask. He scooped me up like a ragdoll and dumped me into a side room.
"Sleep," he ordered.
Rin's smile was softer. "We'll handle things." The door clicked shut, leaving me alone with my thoughts—and the gnawing fear that Jo's hunters were closing in.
**Alexia's POV**
I slammed the phone down. "It's done. Hackers, mercenaries—all mobilized."
The little girl perched on my desk swung her legs. "You *really* shouldn't stress. You've done everything right."
"Or everything wrong." I rubbed my temples. "Jo won't just *let* us expose him. If this fails—"
"If it fails, you'll try again." She grinned. "Imagine it—peace, after all this. Maybe even *him*."
My chest ached. *Would he ever forgive my lies?*
"You stabbed him too deep last time," I deflected.
She giggled. "He'll respawn. Now, ice cream!"
As she clambered into my lap, I stared at the screens. *This ends soon.*
**Bearishta's POV**
The dogs snarled, tugging their leashes toward the scent.
"Interesting," I mused. "They fought off Jo's men while outnumbered. A challenge."
Glegor spat. "They're weak. Used poison like cowards."
"And yet, they escaped *you*." I eyed the distant mansion—a fortress in the suburbs. "Underestimating enemies is how men like you die."
Glegor bristled. "We're leaving? They're *right there*!"
I kicked his knee, sending him staggering. "We strike when I say. Not like brutes."
As we retreated, the wind carried the scent of blood—and something sharper.
*Change is coming.*
"Bait and Blade"