After class, like usual, Vleid picked them up, but this time, Dianne and Leo were with him each brought their car, bullet proof and tinted. The group drove straight to Kian's company, heading toward the heart of the bustling business center in the capital. The towering skyscraper stood among the elite, an unassuming front for the operations that lay beneath its surface.
They've parked underground then rode an elevator leading to the top floor. The ride was silent, calm lingering in the air—not anticipating anything that might happen later.
As the elevator doors slid open, they were greeted by Dante. He stood in the top floor's reception lobby with his usual composed demeanor, always stationed beside Kian whenever they were outside the estate. Unlike the others, Kian required no further training—he was already in a league of his own, even without magic.
Dante's role wasn't just as Kian's right-hand man but as his protector, assistant, and enforcer in both the corporate world and the underground.
Dante was more than just a bodyguard—he was the Pegasus shape-shifter Guardian, bound to Kian in unwavering loyalty. A strict and disciplined guardian, he had long recognized Kian's strength, knowing his master needed no protection, only steadfast support. Their acquaintance dated back to before the Black siblings were even born, from the time Helena had taken Kian on a visit to Astralis. Since then, Dante had painted himself as Kian's personal butler, waiting seventeen years for the chance to serve him again. To Kian, he was not just a guardian but a loyal retainer and trusted friend.
Leo casually slid his hands into his pockets. "Dante, how's Prince Kian?"
Dante glanced at him before shifting his gaze to the Black siblings. "He's doing great as usual. Wrapping up a meeting as we speak." He gave a slight nod. "Greetings, young masters."
"We'll wait for him in his office. Thank you," Xanthine replied, already stepping past him with the others following.
They were here to pick up their father. Once he was finished, they would be heading straight to the underground.
But before they could even settle in, Kian's office doors burst open.
His sharp gaze swept over them, his usual composed demeanor replaced with urgency. "We need to get out of here. Now!"
The weight of his words settled heavily in the room.
"The meeting at the underground is canceled," Kian continued, his voice firm. "They know where we are."
A tense silence followed.
Something had happened inside the meeting room. A group of rogues had raided the area. They were looking for them.
Dante's expression barely shifted, but he understood the gravity of the situation instantly.
"Dante," Kian's voice lowered slightly, his tone carrying unspoken meaning. "Send a message to Helena. Your way."
Dante gave a curt nod. No technology—too risky. He would send the message through telepathy, the ones only a select few could use.
Then, Kian turned to his children, his tone firm yet unwavering.
"Kids, go back to your cars and stick with your guardians." He met each of their gazes. "Please—protect them." and tapped Vleid's shoulder
That last line wasn't just an order—it was a promise.
He took a breath before delivering the final command.
"Head out to Haven."
They moved. No hesitation. No questions. Because when Kian Black gave an order in that tone,
it meant one thing—danger was already at their doorstep.
No one questioned the order. They swiftly exited the building, scattering in different directions but with the same destination in mind. Moving separately was necessary—if one of them was caught, the others could regroup and plan a rescue.
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Kian's POV
"Dante, how's my wife?" Kian asked, urgency and concern threading his voice.
"She already handled the situation at her location, Master. Right now, she's also heading out to lose the thugs following her—through mortal means only. Still not releasing her aura," Dante reported efficiently.
Kian exhaled sharply. "Good. Tell her to hold her ground, find a safe area, and we'll retrieve her. Also, ask Talon to keep her safe."
Helena, I know you're strong. Please, just hold out a little longer.
The rogues were a persistent thorn in his side. Someone had leaked their location. Fortunately, the meeting had run longer than expected—if they had left on time, the kids would have walked straight into danger.
"Report from Leo, Master," Dante continued. "They're being followed. Three cars, five motorcycles."
Kian's expression remained unreadable. "I believe in my son. Let them handle it."
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Shadow Pursuit: A High-Speed Test of Skill
"Just our luck. They chose to follow us," Xander sighed, exasperated. "So cliché—a car chase? Really?"
"Can't do anything about it," Leo chuckled, gripping the steering wheel tightly as the sleek black Aston Martin DB11 roared down the highway. "Maybe they thought you're easy to deal with just because you're the youngest and like to stay in the shadows. They really don't know who they're messing with."
Xander smirked, pulling up a real-time map on his wrist console. "I guess this is another training session for our sync moves, Bro."
Leo's grin widened as he yanked the wheel, sending the car into a sharp power slide into a tight alleyway. The rear tires barely kissed the curb before he shot back onto another street, trying to shake the vehicles behind them. Three black SUVs and two motorcycles—he could already tell they weren't dealing with ordinary thugs.
Leo could have cloaked the car, used his magic to disappear in plain sight or anything that can be done with a trace of magic and his aura, but where was the fun in that? No—this was a test.
Xander pulled out a small, electrified rod—a compact yet deadly gadget he had designed himself. Simple, sturdy, and more than enough to deal with the first motorcycle that got too close.
One of the bikers closing in and leaned forward on the driver's side, pistol drawn, aiming straight for Leo.
Xander's response was swift—he pressed a button on the rod's handle, extending it into a baton crackling with blue electricity.
As the biker came within range, Xander lunged out the window and swung. The rod connected with the biker's arm, sending a shockwave through his body. The man convulsed, lost control, and his motorcycle spun out, crashing into the SUV behind him in a fiery explosion.
Leo whistled, barely sparing a glance. "That was clean."
"You drive. I clean up," Xander replied coolly.
The second biker was more persistent. He kicked up his speed, pulling up alongside the Aston Martin while his partner in the SUV leaned out the window with an automatic rifle.
Before he could fire, Leo cut the wheel hard—but instead of dodging, he used a magically reinforced drift, letting the car momentarily slide at an impossible angle. The enemy's bullets shredded the air where they had just been.
As soon as the SUV moved to reposition, Leo snapped the car back with a flick of his wrist, making it look effortless.
"Xander," he called out. "I'm sending him to you."
Xander didn't need further instructions. Leo suddenly accelerated, brushing dangerously close to the second biker—close enough that Xander could reach out. Without hesitation, Xander hooked his baton onto the biker's jacket and pressed a button.
The gadget released an electrical surge strong enough to disable a small drone—and the biker seized up instantly, his bike spiraling into the lead SUV's tire, flipping both vehicles into a brutal wreck.
Two SUVs remained. Leo could hear reinforcements being called in through their tapped comms.
"Time for the grand finale," he muttered, his hands glowing faintly with arcane energy.
Xander didn't like that look. "Leo, don't—"
"Too late."
With a grin, Leo slammed the accelerator and reached for the car's modified gear shift. His magic-infused tech pulsed, and for a brief second, the Aston Martin flickered out of existence—not gone, but displaced, just enough to confuse their pursuers.
Reappearing instantly behind one of the SUVs, Leo tapped the rear bumper ever so slightly—a move that, under normal physics, shouldn't have done much.
But this was Leo.
The arcane energy in his touch amplified the kinetic force, and the SUV flipped forward violently, landing roof-first in a crumpled heap.
Xander watched, unimpressed but mildly impressed. "That was excessive." Leo smirked. "Fun, though."
The last SUV was stubborn, keeping pace as they neared a steel bridge leading out of the city.
Xander glanced at the tactical display. "Their reinforcements are coming in. If we don't lose them now—"
"Say no more."
Leo twisted the wheel, sending the car into a full-speed reverse drift, then flipped it back forward without losing an ounce of speed.
"Would you stop breaking physics?" Xander muttered.
Leo laughed, gripping the wheel tightly as they reached the bridge—just as a freight truck rumbled through the opposite lane.
Perfect.
With insane precision, Leo timed the jump, ramping the car over the truck's flatbed just as the SUV tried to follow—only for it to be slammed head-on by the truck's trailer.
The enemy's vehicle spun out, flipping wildly before exploding in mid-air.
Leo landed cleanly on the other side, driving into the shadows of the industrial district. He finally eased off the accelerator, letting the adrenaline settle.
"See?" He smirked, glancing at Xander. "Sync moves." "You know, for a bunch of big guys, they sure didn't put up much of a fight."
Xander leaned back in his seat, sighing. "Your reaction time is absurd. But next time, let's do this without you abusing magic and breaking every traffic law in existence."
Leo chuckled, revving the engine one last time. "Where's the fun in that?"
Xander shot him a wide grin. "Maybe they should have known who they were messing with."
Leo's Check-In Report
As Leo sped down the road, adrenalin already left his nerves- his mind was already reaching out with a mix of telepathy and magic, weaving through the fog of distance. His focus narrowed as he checked in on Xanthine and Dianne first. The two were in a bustling part of the city, but something seemed off.
'Dianne, you good? 'Leo's voice echoed in Dianne's mind.
Her response came quickly, almost as if she were amused. 'You know me, Leo. I don't do well with mortals. They tried to follow me, but I made sure they got a taste of something more... magical.'
Leo chuckled silently, knowing exactly what she meant. 'Good. Keep them off your tail and be careful. Don't push your limits.'
"Looks like Dianne's handling things. She's a bit of a diva, but she knows how to shake off pursuers," Leo muttered under his breath as his eyes flicked to the screen. "She used some magic to mess with their vehicles—classic move. The way she make it look like a normal car accident and dropped them in the middle of traffic? Priceless."
He paused, letting out a low chuckle, but then his expression grew more serious as he moved to the next surveillance via telepathy.
As soon as he reached them, he felt the pressing weight of danger, a palpable tension that seeped through the air. His mind stretched further out, connecting with Vleid's energy, feeling his readiness, the simmering strength under the prince's calm exterior.
'Vleid, talk to me. Are you alright?' Leo's telepathic voice was clear, cutting through the static of the situation.
Vleid's response was immediate, though strained. 'We're surrounded. There's a lot of them, and they're closing in. I'm prepared for this, but I need you to stay with me, Leo.'
Alexa's thoughts, strong and steady as always, cut through with her own message. 'Don't worry, Leo. We've got this. Just keep your eyes on us.' Leo a bit shocked that Alexa can now also work with telepathy.
"Alexa and Vleid..." Leo's tone shifted , an empty lot on the outskirts of the city. Alexa and Vleid were standing outside the car, surrounded by a group of armed men. The situation looked bad.
"Bro," Leo's voice crackled with concern. "I think your eldest sister is in a pinch. They're out of the car and surrounded. Looks like they were expecting this—something's off about the whole setup. Armed men closing in, and they're not backing off."
Xander's response was quick, but his voice was steady. "I guess she's got plans of her own. Keep checking in on them, bro. And please, let Mom and Dad know. They'll know what to do."
Leo nodded, already tapping into the magical interference to relay the information to Kian and Helena. He couldn't shake the feeling that this trouble.
Leo's gaze flicked over to the interface again, double-checking the readings as his magic flared to life, sending a ripple of energy through the ground beneath him. "You guys better stay sharp,"
Leo muttered to himself, tapping into a well of power that was only a thought away.
He sent another silent message to Alexa and Vleid: 'We're not letting them take you. Hold tight. Backups on the way.'
He sent the message again, more urgent this time: 'Alexa, Vleid, you sure you don't need backup? You're surrounded by armed men. This doesn't feel right. We can hit them now'.
For a brief moment, there was silence—just the hum of tension in the air. Then, Alexa's voice reached him, cutting through the noise like a sharp blade. Her words were steady, but her focus was razor-sharp.
'No. Don't. Not yet. Let them take us. We need to know their base, or anything related to them. We can't jump in blind.'
Leo's eyes narrowed, his fingers gripping the wheel tighter as he processed her words. 'Are you serious? You're telling me to let them—'
'We can handle this,' Alexa's voice was firm, cutting off his protest. 'Trust me. Let them think they've got us. When the time's right, we'll hit them where it hurts. For now, just be ready. I'll send the signal when it's time.'
Leo's magic flared a little brighter, though he knew she was right. They weren't the type to rush in without a plan—especially Alexa.
'Alright, but I'm staying locked on you. Let me know when you need us.'
He felt a slight shift in the air, a calm sense of certainty that came from Alexa. "She was in control. Always."
Leo pulled in a deep breath, pushing his worries aside for the moment. "Okay, sis. I've got your back. I'll be ready when you give the word."
As soon as the telepathic conversation with Alexa ended, Leo's mind shifted focus. He quickly ran through the situation, making sure everyone who needed to be in the loop was updated.
"Bro, update." Leo's voice was calm, despite the situation. "Alexa's got a plan. She told me to let them take her—she's using the opportunity to figure out where they're based or any locations tied to them. She doesn't want us jumping in yet."
He could sense Xander's response, a sharp intake of breath as the weight of Alexa's decision sunk in. "Nee-san's playing the long game, huh?"
"Yeah." Leo's tone was focused. "She's handling it. But they're surrounded by armed men. It's definitely not just a random attack. We've gotta stay sharp. She said to be ready, but not to move in until we have more intel."
Leo's voice was steady but filled with urgency as he delivers the message.
"Dante, please deliver this to Master Kian," Leo began, his words cutting through the air. "Alexa and Vleid are surrounded. Alexa's got it under control, but she's asked us to hold off on intervention for now."
There was a brief pause as Leo carefully selected his next words. "She wants to let them take her to gather more intel on their base. We're in standby mode—be ready for anything."
Dante's face remained calm, a flicker of concern passing through his eyes before he nodded, acknowledging the severity of the situation. He knew the importance of Alexa's decision, even though it seemed risky.
"Understood. I'll make sure Master Kian knows. We won't move until we have more clarity.
"Leo's eyes narrowed as he stayed focused on the road, his grip tight on the wheel. He didn't like the uncertainty, but he trusted Alexa's instincts. She was a master at using situations like this to her advantage.