Chapter 16: The Serpent's Heart

Marcus's safe house was not a fortress. It was a statement. A sleek, modern structure of glass and steel, perched on a cliffside overlooking the ocean, it screamed of wealth, power, and a arrogance that believed itself untouchable. To any normal intruder, it would have been impenetrable: motion sensors, thermal imaging, pressure-sensitive floors, and a direct link to the nearest Guild outpost. But Kael was not a normal intruder. He had designed the security upgrades for this very house six months...