Chapter 35: A Shocking Invitation
The morning air in the Grey household was light for the first time in weeks. The smell of Elera 's fresh bread filled the kitchen, and even Lucas seemed to have a faint smile on his face as he read a book by the window.
Then, three sharp, rhythmic knocks hammered against the front door.
The warmth in the room vanished. Lucas closed his book, his jaw tightening. Elera hid behind Finn's chair.
Asher didn't say a word. He just calmly reached into his coat pocket, his fingers wrapping around the cold, metallic grip of his newly forged Mana-Stunner.
"I'll get it," Asher said, his voice completely flat.
He pulled the door open. Standing on the dirt porch was a tall, sharply dressed man with a pointed face and a silver monocle. He wore the dark green and black colors of the Blackwood Estate. It was Vane, Lord Silas's personal secretary.
Vane looked down at his polished leather boots, which were now dusted with the slum's dirt, and let out a quiet, disdainful sigh. He didn't even look Asher in the eye.
"I am looking for Lucas Vedor," Vane said, his tone dripping with the bored arrogance of a noble addressing a servant. "Fetch him. I do not have all day to stand in this filth."
Asher leaned against the doorframe, not moving an inch. "He's busy. You can leave the message with me."
Vane finally looked up, his eyes narrowing. He recognized the boy from the reports. The 'Trash of the District.' The one who had humiliated Young Lord Garret.
"Listen carefully, boy," Vane hissed, stepping closer. A faint, oppressive aura of mana leaked from his body—a cheap intimidation tactic used by low-level mages to terrify ordinary citizens. "I am here on behalf of Lord Silas Blackwood. You will move aside, or I will move you myself."
Vane reached out to grab Asher's shoulder and shove him out of the doorway.
It was a massive mistake.
Before Vane's hand could even touch his jacket, Asher moved. His hand snapped up from his pocket, pressing the twin copper prongs of the Mana-Stunner directly against Vane's chest.
Asher pulled the trigger.
CRACK-ZAP!
A blinding arc of blue electricity shattered the morning quiet.
Vane didn't even have time to scream. The high-voltage shock bypassed his mana defenses entirely, overriding his nervous system in a fraction of a second. His eyes rolled back into his head, his muscles locked up, and he dropped to the dirt like a sack of heavy potatoes, twitching violently.
Lucas, who had rushed to the door, froze. He looked at the twitching secretary on the ground, and then up at Asher
Asher calmly blew a wisp of smoke away from the copper prongs and slid the weapon back into his pocket.
" Manners," Asher muttered, nudging Vane's limp arm with his boot.
He crouched down and pulled a thick, wax-sealed envelope from Vane's inner coat pocket. Asher broke the Blackwood seal and quickly scanned the letter. His expression shifted from cold annoyance to calculating interest.
"What does it say?" Lucas asked, stepping out onto the porch. "Is it a declaration of war?"
"No," Asher said, a slow, dangerous grin spreading across his face. "It's an invitation to dinner."
He tossed the letter to Lucas.
"Lord Silas says a 'Beast Tide' is coming to Silvercross in two weeks. He wants to discuss an alliance to save the city." Asher looked down at the twitching secretary. "They aren't here to fight us, Lucas. They are terrified. And they need our help."
Asher turned back to the house, his mind already racing with blueprints, profit margins, and weapon designs.
"Get a bucket of water and wake him up," Asher called over his shoulder. "Tell him we accept. And tell him the Grey family expects a very expensive meal."