Chapter 192
Chapter 192
Fryderyk asked, “Allen, you never say, but I know Aria isn’t ordinary. She can clearly handle herself why are you so worried about her?
“I can’t help it,” Allen muttered, frowning deeply. “She went through something. Got her own shadows. Ever sirice, she’s been a lone wolf–won’t let anyone in.”
Fryderyk pressed, “You know what happened?”
“No idea.”
Fryderyk shook his head. Aria and Owen seemed close–did they really know who the other was?
Masmubia. In a smoky underground casino, a man lounged on a sofa, his gaze sly and cold, tinged with world–weary disdain.
Faces flickered in the shifting light–greedy, eager, desperate, mad. They crowded the gambling tables, bloodshot eyes wild.
In this sunless den, fortunes were made and ruined in a single night.
The man swirled a glass of blood–red wine, then tossed it back. An old man beside him spoke quietly:
“Sir, the Solemnity Guild wants Echohawk dead. You can’t take everything they say at face value–they may just want to use you as a weapon.”
The man laughed, eyes narrowing to icy slits. “You’ve checked it out?”
The old man handed over a dossier.
Downstairs, the noise was deafening, but here not a sound leaked through.
The man stood, his tall figure casting most of the light into shadow. “Get ready. We’re going to Huthailia.”
“How many men do you want?” the old man asked.
“A handful. Too many, and the play gets boring.”
Back in the car, the mood was tense. Owen sensed Aria’s mood wasn’t right.
“Aria.” It was the first time he’d called her name out loud.
-She turned. “What is it?”
He didn’t answer, but she saw concern in his eyes and had to smile. “Relax, Owen. I’m not reckless enough to take them on headfirst. I’m still young, not planning to throw my life away. This is our turf–they won’t get far.”
Owen nodded. “Fair point.”
At a red light, he glanced over. “When did you realize it was me?”
She met his eyes, then looked down at his right hand. “When you tried to test me with the bite mark.”
He remembered too. “Ruined your mission, didn’t I?”
Owen had always wondered what could make a fourteen–year–old girl walk the path she had.
1/2
Chapter 192
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Once he realized it was Aria, he remembered the promise to buy her meats for hire and had instinctively started mottling her to rent ha ag
They’d met up countless times since, though somehow, their relationship had never really deepened.
Now that it was all out in the open, Aria didn’t feel like hiding. “Owen, feel like a fight?
Twenty minutes later, the car stopped outside a boxing gym.
They got out and headed in together. Their looks immediately drew every eye in the place
The receptionist called out, “You two here to sign up?”
“No.” Owen handed over a card. “We need a ring. No audience.”
Oh, so he’s teaching his girlfriend some self–defense, the staff thought. Used to requests like this, she nodded and went to prepare the spare
After changing and strapping on gear, Aria and Owen stepped onto the ring. Several staff gathered to watch through the glass.
“That couple’s gorgeous. Better looking than celebrities.”
“Honestly, they don’t look like a couple at all–feels more like enemies. Look at the tension in there.”
The receptionist agreed, “Maybe that’s just their love language. Either way, quiet–you don’t want to get caught staring and get yelled at
“Yeah, yeah.”
On the ring, both started stretching.
Aria smirked, “Owen, don’t you dare go easy on me.”
Owen’s face turned serious. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
AD
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