Several days had passed since Lucian, Cedric, and Reynald had come to their agreement—and now, against all expectation, the moment they had prepared for was finally at hand.
From the very start, Lucian had been dead-set against this. Was he not supposed to live a quiet, peaceful life as a noble's second son? To steer clear of the Player and avoid the terrible fate written into his path? So why on earth was he here, knee-deep in an investigation alongside them? Where was that calm, quiet life he had longed for all this time?!
And worse—of all places to be stuck, it had to be this damp, narrow alley reeking of stale air, on a mission that had never been part of his plan. Most baffling of all: he was huddled in this cramped space right beside Cedric—the Player. The very man who, in all likelihood, would one day drive a blade straight through his chest. Oh gods above, someone save him now!
