bChapter /bb204 /b

Conrad POV

A 50

I’m in the back of my limo with Murdock and Conner as we head to the G. Both of them are dressed bas /bmy security detailb, /bas I’m wearing a fine, custom–made Italian suit. I’m trying to hide my nerves bas /bI know Lewana would have started the raid by now, and I have to keep an eye on the enemy.

I get out of the limo to the sight of several shing cameras going off in my face as reporters start yelling out questions.

“Mr Strongheart, Mr Strongheart. Where is your fiancée tonightb?/bb“/b.

I smile andugh politely. “She is at home resting. She and the twins need as much as they can get as the big day approaches“.

I try to keep moving up the stairs as people keep calling out questions.

“Mr Strongheart. When is the wedding?b“/bb. /b

“We will see when the twins allow us time for that, but the priority is a safe delivery“.

I quickly make my way up the rest of the stairs to get inside, and I’m relieved when the door closes behind me. As soon as the yelling of the reporters calmed down to an inside business conversation, I knew my mission had started.

I have never seen Malik, and the agency the agent Carter works for has never been able to get a clear picture of him. I only have the description that Lewana gave me. Just under my height, with dark brown hair, dark eyes, and a slightly tanned skinplexion.

This bis /bwhy Connor came with us and didn’t go on the raid. We know he will be possessed by shadow and emitting a ck aurab, /bso that will be enough confirmation.

I make my way around the room and shake hands with numerous people while talking generic business ns and pretending I am considering proposals that people mention.

Murdock and Connor stay close by and scan the room looking for anything suspicious. I start to get nervous when we don’t see him here. We are about an hour in when Connor taps my arm twice, He has something.

I pretend I didn’t notice it and start to work my way around the room much quicker until I am face–to–face with him. I keep my face neutral and pretend I don’t know it’s him when he tries to get my attention.

“Mr Strongheart, I have heard so much about you and your organisation. Have you considered working with the Jackson corporation?“.

I feign ignorance, I probably helped that I was pleased to see him, as it meant he was far away from my Moonlight. “I don’t think I have done any work with the Jackson Corporation. Have you been the lead in other agreements?b“/b.

18:02 bThu/bb, /bbSep /bb25 /b

bHe /blets out a stoicugh. “No. My family is from old money and prefers to work in the background in a supportive fashion. We have backed many projects with family in this room, which is why I always get an invite but nothing bI /bcan really discuss in detail as silent partnersb“/b.

b50 /b

Of course, he has a story ready to go. And one that can’t be verified. I need to get more information about this new persona. “Well, I don’t think we have been formally introduced, Conrad“.

“Miles“. He reaches out a hand for me to shake. I reach out to shake back, and I am instantly put at ease in a bcalm /b

state.

I try to think back to what Lewana told me about the shadows, and she mentioned that one of them is sleep. No wonder he can make business deals so quickly. Puts people at ease, uses the shadows to whisper in their ears about how he is better than others. If they possess others, they can create conflict and doubt, so people think he has the

safer and better deal.

He keeps asking questions, trying to get information from me, and I think he tries to bask in the delusion that I don’t know who he is. “Where is this fiancée I have heard all about on the news? It’s a shame she couldn’te. Are you sure she is safe at home all alone?“b. /b

Iugh. “Quite safe. There are extra precautions now, and it’s much easier now that everyone knows who she is“.

He just smiles and nods, and we start to separate.

I excuse myself from the event and send a text to Nightstalker about his new identity so he can confirm as much as possible for phase two. It’s going to be vital after tonight.

I make sure I keep him in my peripheral vision all night, but keep talking to others. The crowd is starting to thin out as it is about 1am when I notice he is starting to get confused.

He starts to move to the side away from the crowd, down a hallway. He doesn’t get far before he dramatically grabs his chest and is doubled over in pain. He is sweating and struggling to catch his breath, will looking around in a

panic.

bI /bcall out to him. “What’s the problem, Malik? Little bunny giving you grief?“.

His entire posture stiffens. He slowly turns and sees me ring at him with Murdock and Connor on either side of me with weapons drawn.

He starts to partially shift, and I see his ws and teeth start to bare at me in challenge, but before I can respond, a screaming cloud of dark shadows consumes his form and starts advancing towards us.

No way I’m losing him. He could be straight back to Lewana in a matter of hours. I needed to give her as much time as possible.

I signal for Connor and Murdock to start shooting at the shadows, and I grab Connor’s backup weapon.

The screams are instant. Humans start running for the front door in a panic at the noise. The reporters at the front

…

start filming and reporting on the event, but I don’t care.

I am chasing this fucker until he is dead.