“Congratulations on your promotion…” Adam said as he walked beside X beneath the silver wash of moonlight. “I thought you said becoming a Bishop would take longer.”

  “I have you to thank for that.” She flashed him a cheeky smile and winked.

  “Oh? And what did I do?”

  “It’s not important.” She moved a half-step ahead—slow enough that he could match her pace without effort. “I assumed the first thing you’d ask is why I disappeared at the port.”

  “I figured you had something more important to—”

  “No.” She cut in and reached for his arm.

  They both stopped.

  Silence settled between them, thick and awkward.

  The others cast occasional glances their way, though none dared approach. The path had grown uneven and steep, forcing most of them to watch their footing instead.

  “I’m sorry,” X said quietly, releasing his arm. “I didn’t mean to leave you there. I ran into someone from… you know where. They told me my mission was over. I wasn’t given the chance to return to our meeting point.”

  Her gaze drifted to the ground.

  “I didn’t know if I’d ever see you again. I searched for you at the branch listed in our original assignment, but you weren’t there.” She hesitated. “When I heard a branch had been annihilated… I feared the worst. It caused quite a stir among the Cardinals. No one expected the Cartman brothers to die in the chaos.”

  Adam grinned. “I’m touched you thought so much about me.”

  Heat rushed to her cheeks.

  “I forgot what kind of person you were,” she muttered, turning away. “Who would waste their time worrying about you?”

  Adam only shook his head, amused.

  After a moment, she spoke again. “Why the disguise? Are you here on another mission for them?”

  He glanced at her. “Scared?”

  Her brows furrowed. “If you’re involved, then it’s definitely something troublesome.”

  Adam chuckled. “It’s a special mission.”

  Her eyes sharpened. She leaned closer. “Does it involve the flower?”

  He shook his head. “More special than that.”

  “What then?”

  He met her gaze.

  She stiffened.

  Slowly, he lifted a hand and brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

  “I came because I wanted to see you,” he said softly. “Now I’m satisfied.”

  For a heartbeat, she didn’t breathe.

  Color bloomed across her cheeks as her eyes darted anywhere but his face. She turned sharply. “You’re insufferable. Who says something like that?”

  She slapped his hand away and walked ahead.

  Adam laughed under his breath, resisting the urge to call after her.

  “You’re doing this deliberately, aren’t you?” she muttered without looking back. “I don’t want to—”

  “What are you two whispering about?” Jamari approached with a bright smile. “Care to let me in on the fun?”

  Adam spared him a brief glance before looking away.

  X pressed her lips together, brows tightening.

  “Nothing of importance,” X replied lazily. “Just spending time with my lover.”

  Jamari blinked.

  Before the skepticism in his eyes could settle, Adam slid an arm around X’s waist and drew her close.

  “So,” he murmured, tightening his hold, “where were we, lover?”

  He didn’t acknowledge Jamari’s presence.

  X attempted to pull free, but his grip held. She pinched his side sharply while forcing a polite smile.

  Jamari’s expression cooled.

  “I’ll leave you to it,” he said stiffly before turning away.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “Lover?” X hissed once he was gone, wrenching herself free.

  “You wanted me to discourage him,” Adam said with a shrug. “It’s only natural I protect my lover.”

  She glared. “This is the second time you’ve taken advantage of me.”

  He leaned closer. “I thought I was the only one who remembered our kiss.” His voice lowered. “Your waist is softer than your lips. Makes me curious what else might be.”

  Her mouth opened—but no words came.

  For a moment, she looked ready to strike him.

  Adam grinned, unbothered.

  It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed myself like this. Knowing her, she’s already plotting revenge.

  She stormed ahead, shooting him a lethal glare.

  Adam’s smile lingered as he tilted his gaze toward the clear sky.

  Why does that lunatic want me in Sandholt?

  “Ulric. Ulric!”

  Astor’s voice snapped him back.

  “What?” Adam replied.

  “His Grace is calling for you. This isn’t the time to be lost in thought.” Astor turned and walked away.

  Adam exhaled slowly.

  Surely X wouldn’t use him to retaliate… would she?

  He approached the others, who stood before a strange natural rock formation—boulders twisted into shapes resembling distorted humans and beasts.

  “You wished to see me, Your Grace?” Adam asked, bowing slightly.

  “Raise your head,” Ledley said. “You claimed you wouldn’t be a hindrance on this mission.”

  “Indeed, Your Grace.”

  “It’s time to see whether your words carry any weight.”

  Ledley gestured toward the jagged rock formation ahead.

  “Four hundred meters beyond those rocks, a bandit group is encamped. Fewer than twenty. At least five Awakened with ranks comparable to yours.” His gaze hardened. “Eliminate them.”

  Adam met the Archbishop’s eyes without hesitation. “As you command, Your Grace.”

  X stepped forward instinctively. “Y-Your Grace, perhaps we should—”

  “No.” Ledley’s voice fell like a blade. “He will handle it alone.” His indifferent gaze swept the group. “Anyone who interferes will be eliminated.”

  Silence followed.

  None of them matched Ledley in rank—or in whatever lurked beneath his skin.

  The Archbishop turned back to Adam. “Go. No one will interrupt your battle.”

  “Thank you, Your Grace.”

  Adam walked toward the formation, unhurried.

  Jamari and Rueben settled against a nearby boulder, passing a water flask between them.

  “What do you think will happen to him?” Rueben murmured. “I doubt he’ll make it back.”

  Jamari snorted. “Why should I care?”

  He took the flask with more force than necessary, water sloshing over his knuckles. His eyes drifted toward X.

  Adam’s hand around her waist replayed in his mind.

  It’s better if he doesn’t return.

  Rueben studied him. “Did something happen between you two?”

  “Let me rest.” Jamari tipped the flask back. “My feet are killing me.”

  He glanced toward Frences and the others. They spoke in low tones, casting occasional looks toward the rocks.

  Then his gaze returned to X.

  She hadn’t moved. Still staring.

  Why would someone like her choose someone like him?

  He clicked his tongue softly and drank again.

  X stood motionless, eyes fixed on the rocks.

  I almost feel sorry for those bandits.

  She shifted her attention briefly to the Priests, then to Ledley. The Archbishop stood at ease, hands behind his back, as though he had sent Adam to fetch water instead of into battle.

  They think he won’t return. If only they knew he’s likely the strongest one here.

  She exhaled slowly and sat on a flat stone.

  Footsteps approached.

  She stood immediately.

  “Your Grace—”

  “Relax.” Ledley raised a hand and tossed her a water flask.

  She caught it automatically.

  “What is your relationship with that Priest?” he asked. “This is the first time I’ve seen you attempt to protect someone.”

  “We worked together while I was still a Priest,” X replied evenly, placing the flask beside her.

  “I see.”

  Ledley stepped closer, lowering his voice.

  “Do not let your past cloud your future. I don’t know what he means to you, but someone like him won’t live long enough to—”

  He stopped.

  X’s eyes had shifted past him.

  Her lips parted. He’s back already?

  “What is it?” Ledley asked.

  A shout broke from behind them.

  “Why are you back?!” Jamari roared. “His Grace gave you a mission!”

  Adam blinked at Jamari. Why is he so agitated?

  He didn’t dwell on it. He approached Ledley with light, unhurried steps.

  The Archbishop turned sharply. “You’re back.”

  There was no warmth in the words.

  “Your Grace.” Adam bowed. “The bandits are dead. The mission is complete.”

  “Nonsense!” Jamari snapped. “It hasn’t even been five minutes. Your Grace, this mongrel—”

  “Silence.”

  Ledley’s roar cracked through the night.

  Veins bulged along his forehead. The pink hue of his lips darkened to black.

  Jamari lowered his head instantly.

  Ledley inhaled slowly. “Dead, you say?”

  “Yes, Your Grace.”

  “You killed them?”

  “No, Your Grace.” Adam’s tone remained steady. “They killed one another before I arrived. I do not know what seized them, but by the time I reached their camp, all were dead.”

  Ledley’s gaze sharpened.

  “I do not tolerate deception.” His voice dropped. “For the last time—what happened? Choose your words carefully.”

  A faint hiss slithered through the air. The fur lining his coat twitched. Then, along the base of his neck, shapes pressed outward beneath the skin—bulges forming the outlines of human eyes.

  Frences staggered back.

  Rueben recoiled.

  Even X covered her nose and stepped away.

  Ledley did not blink.

  “Your Grace,” Adam said quietly, lowering his gaze just enough to appear pressured. “You may send others to verify my words.”

  For a moment, the Archbishop studied him.

  Then he pointed. “Frences. Rueben. Colio. Accompany Bishop X. Confirm his claim.”

  “As you command.”

  They sprinted toward the rocks.

  Ledley’s attention returned to Adam.

  “For your sake,” he said softly, “I hope you are truthful.”

  He let the threat linger.

  “Why endure this?” The demonic voice snarled within Adam’s mind. “Tear him apart. Unleash your Domain as you did to the bandits. Let them butcher one another while begging for mercy.”

  Adam kept his expression composed.

  “I understand, Your Grace.”

  Seconds stretched. Then minutes.

  The party returned. Their expressions were… wrong.

  Ledley’s eyes narrowed. “Well?”

  “They are dead.”

  X hesitated for a moment, her gaze shifting between Adam and the Archbishop. “They died by their own blades. I cannot explain it, but it was as though something compelled them to slaughter each other.”

  Ledley’s gaze slid back to Adam.

  “It seems you spoke the truth.”

  “I would never deceive you, Your Grace.”

  The Archbishop studied him for one final moment before turning to the others.

  “We move. We must reach the border before dawn.”

  He strode toward the formation without another word.

  The other Priests watched Adam carefully, but none approached.

  Soon, they followed.

  Adam turned toward X.

  “Was it you?” she asked under her breath.

  He smiled faintly. “I have no idea what you mean.”

  He winked. “We should catch up. Misunderstandings can be dangerous.”

  With his hands clasped behind his back, Adam followed the others into the shadows.