As Jeremy and Celicia approached the designated meeting point, a row of sleek black cars lined the curb, their polished surfaces gleaming under the afternoon sun. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation and an unspoken tension that hung heavily in the air. James Detroit stood at the forefront, exuding an unmistakable air of authority. He was dressed immaculately in a perfectly tailored black suit that hinted at both power and sophistication. His polished shoes glinted as he shifted his weight, and the black goggles perched on his forehead gave him an enigmatic edge, masking his eyes and adding to his imposing presence.For the first time, Jeremy felt a surge of confidence as he locked eyes with James, a silent challenge passing between them. "He is still stronger!" Jeremy noted to himself, acknowledging the disparity in their power even as he approached with a newfound determination."Get in the car, Celicia," James commanded, his voice firm and unyielding. Celicia nodded, her

Out of respect, Jeremy complied, settling into the chair with a calm demeanor. Elijah’s presence alone commanded reverence—not just within his own guild but across several others. His leadership was legendary, and his strength, though still at A+ rank, was spoken of in tones usually reserved for S ranked hunters. The S rank, the threshold where heroics transcended into the realm of the supernatural, had eluded him. Now, with the weight of time bearing down, Elijah had resigned himself to the likelihood that he would never cross that final threshold. Retirement loomed closer than ascension to the god-tier, and his thoughts increasingly turned toward Jessica, the C+ ranked hunter he planned to groom as his successor.Elijah's eyes, sharp and intense, radiated a cautious energy that kept everyone on edge.“Jeremy, I’ve heard quite a bit about you—from Jessica and other sources,” Elijah began, leaning forward slightly, his chin resting on his clasped hands, supported by elbows planted

After Elijah's departure, an uneasy silence enveloped Jessica's office. Jeremy sat with his head bent low, the weight of recent events pressing heavily on his shoulders, while Jessica stared into space, lost in her own thoughts."Are you okay, Jer?" she finally asked, breaking the stillness."Um, I’m fine," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.Inside his mind, Jeremy wrestled with conflicting emotions. "I almost accepted Burke's offer," he pondered, a wave of guilt washing over him. "I almost went against my own principles.""Listen, what we did was for your good—" Jessica began, trying to reassure him."I know, at least I’m well aware of that now," he mumbled, his tone reflecting his inner turmoil."I think you need a timeout from your current struggles," Jessica advised, offering him a warm smile that felt like a breath of fresh air amid the chaos."What do you think I should do?" Jeremy inquired, looking into her eyes, searching for guidance."I'm quite free tomorrow eve

As Jeremy pushed through the crowded hallways, his mind was still reeling from the cryptic message. 'Blackthorn.' The name echoed in his thoughts like a drumbeat. He couldn’t shake the feeling that everything was closing in on him faster than he could comprehend. But then, a chilling realization struck him. _Burke._ His estranged uncle had always been lurking in the shadows, tied up in mysteries that Jeremy had never fully unraveled. Could this be his doing?The memory of Burke abandoning him and his mother came flooding back—his uncle disappearing without a trace after his father’s death, only to reappear years later with wealth and connections that didn’t add up. Meanwhile, across town, Burke sat in a sleek, dimly lit office. The soft hum of his phone on the table in front of him caught his attention. He smirked as he glanced down at the screen, seeing the confirmation that his cryptic message had been delivered to Jeremy. "That should buy some time," Burke muttered under his

Burke stepped forward, his eyes cold and calculating as always. "I told you to be careful," he said, not offering any comfort. "You’ve attracted the wrong kind of attention."Jeremy wiped the sweat from his brow, glaring at his uncle. "And whose fault is that?" he snapped. "You’re the one who brought me into this mess."Burke shrugged. "Maybe. But I also just saved your life. So, you’re welcome."Jeremy was about to retort, but he stopped, realizing that Burke wasn’t wrong. As much as he hated to admit it, he owed his uncle this time. If the latter hadn't intervened, he might have been severely injured by these unknown identities the Freaks had sent."You need to stay sharp, Jeremy," Burke continued, his tone colder now. "The Freaks won’t stop. And neither will I."Jeremy stood still for a moment, watching as Burke made his way toward the black sedan. His uncle’s expression was unreadable, but there was always a hint of menace lurking beneath that calm exterior. “Get in the back sea