Word spread fast.
The boy with the black sword. The one who killed gang leaders like it was nothing.
People started talking about Kael in the Black Market. Some with fear. Some with respect. A few with hope.
"You're becoming famous," Lyra said. "Or infamous. Hard to tell which."
"Both, probably."
They were in the safe house. Ethan was practicing with a wooden sword in the corner. Badly, but he was trying.
"People are asking about you," Lyra continued. "Wanting to meet you. Work with you."
"What kind of people?"
"Merchants. Small gang leaders. Even a few of Julian's former employees." She unrolled a map on the table. "Look. These are the groups that have reached out. They want to join us."
Kael studied the marks. A dozen at least.
"Why?"
"Because you're winning. You've taken out five of Julian's operations. People think you can actually do it. Actually bring him down."
"Can I?"
"We. Can we." Lyra circled several locations. "With help, yes. These groups control resources. Manpower. Information. If they ally with us, we become a real threat."
"And if it's a trap?"
"It might be. That's why we're careful. We meet them in neutral territory. We vet them. We don't trust until they prove themselves."
A knock at the door made everyone tense. Kael's hand went to Soulrender.
Lyra checked the peephole. Relaxed. "It's Marta."
She opened the door. The tavern owner from the Broken Tooth stepped in. She looked around. Raised an eyebrow at Ethan practicing.
"Teaching him young, are you?"
"He's persistent," Lyra said. "What brings you here?"
"Someone wants to meet your boy." Marta jerked her thumb at Kael. "Gang leader from the western district. Calls himself Rake. Says he's interested in your war against Julian."
"What's his angle?"
"Julian killed his brother six months ago. Trumped-up charges. Execution. Rake's been looking for revenge ever since."
"Why not go after Julian himself?"
"Because he's smart enough to know he'd die." Marta pulled out a silver coin. "This is his token. Proof he's serious. He wants to meet. Tonight. The old mill by the river."
Lyra took the coin. Examined it. "Could be legitimate. Could be another assassin."
"Only one way to find out," Kael said.
"You're not going alone."
"I wasn't planning to."
That night, they went to the old mill. Ethan stayed at the safe house with Marta watching him.
The mill was abandoned. Broken waterwheel. Holes in the roof. Perfect place for an ambush.
"Stay alert," Lyra whispered.
They moved inside. Moonlight streamed through the holes. Shadows everywhere.
A man stepped out from behind a pillar. Tall. Lean. Scar down his face.
"You're Kael Voss," he said. Not a question.
"And you're Rake."
"That I am." Rake gestured around. "Sorry for the location. Had to be somewhere Julian's spies wouldn't follow."
"Or somewhere to trap us."
Rake smiled. "If I wanted you dead, you wouldn't have made it through the door. I've got twenty men hidden around this building. But they're not here to kill you. They're here to talk."
"About?"
"Alliance. Partnership. Whatever you want to call it." Rake stepped closer. "Julian Voss killed my brother. Falsely accused him of theft. Had him hanged in public. I want revenge but I can't get it alone."
"Why should I trust you?"
"Because we want the same thing. Because I have resources you need. Because..." He pulled out a map. "I know where Julian keeps his ledgers. All his accounts. His illegal deals. Everything."
Lyra's eyes lit up. "You're serious?"
"Dead serious. I've been planning this for months. But I needed a fighter. Someone who could get into places I can't. Someone Julian doesn't expect." He looked at Kael. "That's you."
"What do you get out of this?"
"Revenge. Justice. Call it what you want. When Julian falls, I take control of the eastern district. You get Voss Hall. We split his wealth. Everyone wins."
Kael looked at Lyra. She nodded slightly. This could work.
"What about your men?" Kael asked. "How do I know they won't turn on me?"
"They follow me. I follow through on my promises. I promise to help you kill Julian. That's enough."
Rake extended his hand.
Kael hesitated. Then shook it.
"Partners," Rake said.
"For now. If you betray us—"
"You'll kill me. I know. I've heard the stories." Rake grinned. "But I won't betray you. Dead men don't get revenge."
They spent the next hour going over the map. The ledgers were kept in a vault under Julian's merchant offices. Guarded. But not impossible.
"We hit it in three days," Rake said. "That gives us time to prepare. Get the right tools. The right people."
"Who else knows about this?"
"Just us. My men know we're planning something but not what. The fewer who know, the better."
After the meeting, Kael and Lyra walked back to the safe house.
"What do you think?" Lyra asked.
"He's genuine. Or a very good liar."
"My instinct says genuine. He's got real hatred for Julian. That's not easy to fake."
"So we trust him?"
"We work with him. Trust comes later."
Back at the safe house, Ethan was asleep. Marta had left.
Lyra locked the door. Turned to Kael.
"This is getting real," she said. "We're building an army. People are joining us. Soon we'll be strong enough to really threaten Julian."
"That's the plan."
"Are you ready for that? For leading people? For being responsible for their lives?"
Kael thought about it. "No. But I'll do it anyway."
"That's what I thought." She touched his cheek. "Just remember—you're not alone in this. Whatever happens, we face it together."
"Together," Kael agreed.
She kissed him. Brief but real.
Then she pulled back. "Get some sleep. Big days ahead."
Kael watched her go to her room. Touched his lips where she'd kissed him.
This was getting complicated. Revenge was simple. Clean.
But now there were people involved. Allies. Maybe more.
He looked at Soulrender leaning against the wall. The sword was quiet tonight. No whispers. No urging.
Maybe even the sword knew some things were worth more than killing.
He lay down and closed his eyes.
Tomorrow they'd plan the vault raid. Tomorrow they'd get closer to Julian.
But tonight, for the first time in weeks, Kael smiled.
* * *
END OF CHAPTER 15