The Citadel's control room pulsed with low light as the screens cycled through data streams. Red threads mapped energy signatures across the world, each one blinking faint against a wider grid. Lucian stood with his arms folded, gaze locked on the central feed.
The AI's voice carried. "Cross-referencing residual aura from Marc's battle with Silas and Vyn… triangulating. Location established."
A section of the map flared. A wide compound sat on the outskirts of the northern district, cloaked by old wards. Its name burned across the screen in white letters: Thorne Estate.
Lucian's jaw tightened. His reflection in the glass flickered sharp.
"So they've been keeping them there," he muttered.
Kaelis stirred on his shoulder, his golden eyes narrowing. "The Thornes," he said, voice low with old disdain. "Arrogant family. Always collecting pets they don't deserve. Looks like they've collected yours."
