Amassive, flawless, cushion-cut diamond sat nestled in an intricate setting of woven platinum and diamond inlays, the band subtly engraved withancient symbols she didn’t recognize. The gemstone shimmered under the boutique lights, its brilliance almost hypnotic.
“It’s… perfect,” she whispered.
Vector took the ring, sliding it onto her finger.It fit perfectly.
Just as the saleswoman finished processing the payment,the lights went out.
A hush fell over the boutique, the kind of silence that was too thick. Wrong. Then came the sound ofmetal striking metal, the subtle rustling of fabric, the weight of something dangerous filling the space.
Raven’s breath caught as she saw them—twelve figures, masked and dressed in black, emerging from the shadows like ghosts.
They moved withunnatural precision, their presence exuding somethingother than mere violence, something ruthless.Cruel. Each of them carriednot just guns, but weapons that pulsed with eerie, glowing energy—nets woven from somekind of metallic thread, runes that seemed to vibrate with unseen power.
Vector moved before she could even think,his body shielding hers, his stance shifting into something lethal and terrifying.
A deep voice, distorted by the attacker’s mask, cut through the darkness. “Dragon.”
Vector didn’t even flinch. “Hunter. Leave now and I’ll let you live.”
Raven’s stomach plummeted. Did Vectorknowthese men? And why the weird names? Was Dragon his nickname? Like a street name? And Hunter? What kind of hunter? These assholes weren’t hunting deer. They were hunting her man.
Suddenly Vector’s security, his staff of bodyguards, made more sense.
The leader of the intruders tilted his head slightly. “Did you think you could hide from us forever?”
Vector’s entire frame tensed, the muscles in his shoulders bunching as his fingers flexed at his sides. “I wasn’t hiding.” His voice was a low growl, edged with something feral.
The leader exhaled slowly, his gloved fingers brushing over the hilt of acurved blade carved with runes. “Good. That makes this easier.”
Before Raven could process what was happening, one of the figures lashed out—a net crackling with golden energy shot forward, aimed straight for Vector.
He moved,unnatural speed carrying him out of the way just in time.
The glass cases shattered as the force of the attack sent shards flying, a storm of diamonds spilling onto the marble floor.
“Stay behind me,” Vector commanded, voice rough with authority.
Raven’s heart slammed against her ribs, but shedidn’t argue.
The attackers shifted, tightening their formation, their weapons pulsing with energy that made the air hum with power. Where was Talon? Or the others? Had these guys killed them already?
“Vector,” Raven breathed. “Who are they?”
His jaw clenched. “Dead men.”
Her blood ran cold.
Raven’s mind spun, her breath coming fast. "Why did they call you dragon?" she whispered, her fingers curling into the fabric of his sleeve.
Vector didn’t look at her, his focus locked onto the hunters, his stance poised, ready. "It doesn’t matter.They're insane.Long-time enemies of my people, and they have weapons you’ve never seen before.”
Their attackers fanned out attempting to surround them. Her entire body went rigid.She wanted to scream. She wanted to run.But then—the crackle of energy from the hunters' weapons reminded her of the danger they were in.
She clenched her fists.Now wasn’t the time to fall apart.
Her voice came out steadier than she expected. “Tell me what to do."
Vectorshoved Raven behind him, his stance going lethal. “Stay low. Don’t move until I tell you.”
