LILIAN'S POV The impact of those words hit me more fiercely than the assault itself. "They've captured Marcus." For an instant, I remained frozen, gazing at Noah, certain that I must have misheard him. When I departed, Marcus had been secured within the mansion's walls, surrounded by guards. Darian had commanded a complete lockdown of the estate, with every entry point under strict surveillance. How was it possible for anyone to reach him unseen? A heavy dread began to settle in my chest as a disturbing comprehension took hold. This was not merely another offensive. It had been a diversion. The blaze at the archives, the cloaked figure guiding me into the woods, the mercenary wolves that ambushed us—each element had been meticulously orchestrated to lure Darian, Noah, and the mightiest warriors away from the mansion, paving the way for someone else to execute the true objective. Marcus was targeted not for his identity, but for the knowledge he possessed. My gaze shifted to th
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