Ethan stared at the broken man at his feet, the heavy iron chain cold against his palm. The sheer ruthlessness of Celestial stunned him. One moment Axhel was a commander, the next, he was a gift offered to appease a powerful variable.
"Why?" Ethan asked, his voice barely a whisper. "Why go this far?"
"This is what I do, Mr. Blake," Ross replied, adjusting his cuffs with practiced elegance. "I solve the mundane frictions of our organization. We hope this unpleasantness can remain in the past. For Celestial, only benefits are eternal. We now recognize Royal as an organization backed by a Mage—or a Knight—and we will permit you to join the Union of Supernaturals."
Ross paced slowly, his eyes fixed on Ethan. "An auditor from the Union will visit you shortly to certify your addition and explain the laws. Think carefully; we're a Tier 5 organization within the union. It would be wise to treat us well."
