Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Aeron walked briskly down the street, a grin etched upon his face. He felt a surge of exhilaration, a childlike glee that bubbled up within him like a freshly uncorked bottle of fizzy drink. He couldn't quite pinpoint the exact reason for his elation, but he didn't care. Maybe it was because Myra had been showing him more affection lately, making him feel wanted and loved. Maybe it was the way baby Allistar would giggle and reach out for him whenever he approached. Or perhaps it was the sense of accomplishment he had been inching closer to in his goal, the feeling of progress. Whatever the cause, it didn't matter to Aeron. The emotions coursing through him were intoxicating, and he reveled in them.

As he turned a corner, his eyes widened at the sight of two men standing in the middle of the path. They were dressed entirely in black, their faces concealed by shadow. Aeron's elation quickly dissipated, replaced by a cautious wariness. He knew better than to underestimate stra