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The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 98. Fractured Loyalties
Olivia watched Elijah closely, her gaze lingering on his every move. The man she knew as James was beginning to feel different—secretive, like he was constantly keeping something just out of her reach.“James,” she began, her tone soft but tinged with curiosity, “I feel like I barely see you anymore. You’re always… somewhere else.”Elijah, maintaining his calm composure, smiled faintly.“Business is demanding, Olivia. You know that better than anyone.” He met her gaze, his voice steady, but he noticed the flicker of doubt in her eyes.Olivia’s expression remained thoughtful, and she took a small step closer.“It’s not just business, though, is it? Sometimes it seems like you know things that don’t even concern you. Things that I wouldn’t expect you to be involved in.”Elijah let out a soft chuckle, trying to ease the tension.“Curiosity is a dangerous quality, Olivia,” he murmured, his tone light but firm.“Some things are better left unsaid, don’t you think?”She didn’t look convince
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 99. The Betrayer’s Meeting
Elijah stood under the dim glow of the streetlight, his gaze fixed on the approaching figure.Shrouded in a dark coat, Mary Shaw moved toward him with hesitant steps. Her eyes darted around the quiet, empty street, and Elijah could see the tension in her every movement.“Mary,” he greeted, his voice low.“You’re taking quite a risk meeting me like this.”Mary cast him a wary look.“If Duke West even suspects I’m here, it’ll be more than just a risk,” she muttered, her voice tight with anxiety. She glanced over her shoulder, ensuring the area remained clear.“Then why come?” Elijah challenged, folding his arms. “What’s changed?”Mary took a shaky breath, her gaze hardening.“Duke is spiraling. His ambitions have become dangerous. He’s planning to take over all criminal operations in Evendore, starting with the allies and rivals he no longer trusts.”Her voice dropped to a near-whisper. “That includes you and Lando Yale.”Elijah’s expression barely shifted, though his mind raced.“And y
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 100. Sensing the Danger
Sophia sat on the edge of the bed, her face pale and her hands tightly clasped together.When Elijah walked in, she didn’t look up; instead, her voice broke the silence."Elijah… why does it feel like I'm losing everything?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, but he heard every word.He took a step toward her, concern creasing his brow. “Sophia, what’s wrong?” “What’s wrong?” she echoed, finally looking up, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.“Everything is wrong, Elijah. I thought… I thought I had a family, a husband, someone I could rely on.”She shook her head, trying to keep her composure.“But my family, they treat me like a pawn in their games. And you… you’re never here.”The pain in her words sliced through him, and he took her hands gently, his grip firm but careful.“Sophia, I know I haven’t been able to be around as much as I should. But it’s not because I don’t want to be with you. I’m trying to protect you from things you can’t even imagine.”She searched his face,
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 101. Behind the Mask
Elijah’s gaze narrowed as he watched Duke West speak with Sophia, every instinct in him flaring with urgency.Steeling himself, he crossed the room with calculated strides, forcing a disarming smile as he reached her side.“Sophia,” he said, slipping an arm around her shoulders, “sorry to keep you waiting.”Sophia’s eyes flashed with confusion, but she didn’t pull away.Duke West’s expression remained unbothered, though a flicker of irritation flashed across his gaze.“Mr. Hamesworth,” Duke West greeted with an icy smile. “Didn’t realize you were here tonight. Olivia Winter isn't around for another surprise.”Elijah met Duke’s gaze head-on. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he replied smoothly, tightening his grip on Sophia. “And it looks like I arrived just in time.”Sophia glanced between the two men, suspicion creeping into her expression. “Umm… can we talk?”Elijah’s nod was curt. “Of course.”He guided her through the crowded room and into a quieter corridor.Once they were alo
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 102. The Web Tightens
Elijah leaned back in his chair, gazing across the dimly lit hotel suite at Olivia.She looked at him with equal parts hurt and fascination, her eyes searching his as though trying to piece together a puzzle.“Elijah, or... James,” she started slowly, “I need to know what you’re hiding, the real reason you’re here. If you expect me to trust you, I have to know. After all, you might guess already that I know a lot, Mr. Norton.”Taking a deep breath, Elijah softened his expression. “Olivia, what I’m going to tell you can’t leave this room,” he said firmly, his tone laced with enough sincerity to draw her closer. “I came here under the name James for protection, to get close to people who might betray everything I stand for.”She studied him, doubt flickering in her eyes. “And you’re saying Duke West and even my family are involved in that?”Elijah held her gaze, feigning hesitation. “You may think you know your family, Olivia, but they’re more entangled in dangerous schemes than you can
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 103. The Siege of Arthur Palace
Elijah stood in the courtyard of Arthur Palace, directing his men to take defensive positions.The night was eerily quiet, the calm before the storm. He caught sight of Doug, his right-hand man, signaling for him to come closer.“Doug, I need you to protect Sophia,” Elijah ordered, his voice low but firm.“This assault is only going to get worse, and Duke West won’t spare anyone in his way.”Doug nodded, his eyes hard with determination.“Understood, Marshal. I’ll make sure she’s safe, no matter what.”Just then, footsteps echoed through the hall, and Sophia appeared, her expression a mixture of anger and worry.She moved toward Elijah, ignoring the soldiers bustling around her.“Elijah, I need answers now,” she demanded, her voice shaking slightly.“What’s going on? Why are we preparing for what looks like… a war?”Elijah’s shoulders tensed, and he met her gaze, knowing he owed her the truth—at least part of it.“Sophia, you deserve to know,” he began.“I’ve been in an ongoing battle
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 104. The Final Duel
Elijah moved through the aftermath of battle, leaving Doug and his men with strict instructions to guard Arthur Palace and, above all, protect Sophia.His mind was set—this final confrontation was inevitable.He made his way toward the dark, isolated part of the grounds where Duke West had stationed himself, awaiting their last clash.The night air was thick with tension as he arrived.Duke West stood under the cold, flickering light, his expression twisted with a self-satisfied smirk.“Elijah,” Duke West greeted, his voice dripping with contempt.“I didn’t think you’d have the nerve to face me alone.”Elijah’s gaze remained steady. “I’m here to end this. All of it.”Duke chuckled, his eyes narrowing. “End it? This has only just begun. Everything you hold dear, I’ve had my hands on it—controlling, twisting.”He tilted his head, a gleam of triumph in his eyes. “Your family’s destruction? That was me, boy. Your enemies? They all answered to me.”Elijah’s jaw tightened, but he held his g
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 105. Shadows of the Past
The remnants of battle were still fresh in Elijah’s mind as he walked back to Arthur Palace, every step heavy with Duke West’s final words haunting him.By the time he reached the door, he was greeted by Doug, who looked tense but relieved.“Elijah, Sophia’s been asking about you since the attack began,” Doug said, his voice lowered. “She’s safe, but… shaken.”Elijah nodded, running a hand through his hair. “Keep the defenses up, Doug. This might not be over.”As he walked into the main hall, Sophia rushed toward him, her eyes wide with worry. She wrapped her arms around him without hesitation.Latest Chapter
332. No Safe Haven
“Elijah.” Sophia’s voice was hoarse as she stumbled forward, exhaustion evident in her every step. The moment she saw him, something inside her steadied. Elijah turned, his sharp gaze locking onto her. Relief flickered in his eyes, but only for a moment. He stepped toward her, scanning her face. “You’re hurt.” “I’m fine,” she said, though the trembling in her limbs told a different story. Doug kept his rifle raised as he surveyed the others. “Marshal, we need to move. Now.” Lando scoffed, brushing snow off his coat. “Move where? We’re boxed in.” Elijah ignored him, his mind already working through the problem. They were outnumbered, trapped in the ruins of a dead village with no easy way out. But surrender wasn’t an option. Cassian stepped forward, his face grim. “We spotted patrols in every direction. They’re closing in.” Sophia’s stomach clenched. “He’s here, isn’t he?” Cassian nodded. “The Warden is leading them himself.” A heavy silence settled over the group.
331. A Ghost from the Past
“This place gives me the creeps, Marshal,” Doug muttered, stepping carefully over the snow-covered ground. Elijah didn’t respond immediately. His sharp eyes scanned the abandoned village, taking in the half-collapsed roofs, the broken windows, and the eerie silence. The storm had buried much of it under ice and snow, but traces of its past remained—scattered tools, torn banners, faded carvings on the walls. A place forgotten by time. Elijah crouched, brushing away snow from a wooden sign. The words beneath were barely legible, but he could make them out. RavengateHe frowned. “I’ve heard this name before.” Doug tightened his grip on his rifle. “What is this place, sir?” Elijah’s fingers trailed over the letters. “A research site. One of The Warden’s early bases.” Doug stiffened. “You think Sophia was here?” Elijah stood, his expression unreadable. “Maybe. Or someone like her.” They moved carefully through the ruins, their boots crunching over ice. The deeper they wen
330. The Price of Power
“Elijah! Can you hear me?” Doug’s voice was hoarse, barely cutting through the howling wind.Elijah groaned, his body half-buried in the snow. His limbs ached, and his head throbbed from the impact. He forced himself upright, shaking off the dizziness. The avalanche had separated them from the others, leaving nothing but a wasteland of ice and silence.“I’m here,” Elijah rasped, wiping blood from his forehead.Doug exhaled in relief and moved toward him, limping slightly. “Thank the gods. I thought you were buried alive.”Elijah steadied himself and scanned their surroundings. The sheer cliffs stretched endlessly, s
329. Into the Storm
“This is madness,” Lando muttered, tightening his cloak against the bitter wind. “A frozen death trap waiting to swallow us whole.” “No other way,” Elijah said, his voice firm as he led the group through the narrow path. The wind howled through the ravine, a brutal force against their already exhausted bodies. Doug kept pace beside him, eyes scanning the ridges above. “Marshal, we’re exposed here. Too easy to ambush.” Elijah knew he was right. The walls of ice loomed over them like towering prison bars, offering no cover. Every step forward felt like an invitation for an attack. Sophia shivered, pulling her arms tightly around herself. The cold was relentless, seeping through her bones. Her body still ached from the last fight, her mind even more so. She could feel the power inside her, restless and hungry. Cassian trailed behind, checking their back. “No movement yet. But it’s too quiet.” “Always is,” Lando said grimly. “Right before the knife sinks in.” The wind picked
328. The Hunt Never Ends
“We need to keep moving,” Elijah said firmly, scanning the horizon. The cold night stretched endlessly before them, the distant howling of wolves blending with the wind. Doug adjusted his rifle and nodded. “Yes, Marshal. But they’re gaining on us. We can’t keep running forever.” Sophia, leaning against a rock for support, tried to steady her breathing. The escape had drained her. The battle had taken more than just her strength—it had carved something dark inside her, something she wasn’t sure she could control. Lando let out a dry chuckle. “Oh, we could keep running. But it won’t matter. The Warden isn’t hunting us.” He tilted his head toward Sophia. “He’s hunting her.” Elijah’s eyes darkened, but he didn’t take the bait. “And yet, here you are, running with us.” Lando smirked. “Self-preservation. The Warden isn’t the forgiving type.” Doug shot him a glare but stayed silent. The tension was thick, but they had bigger problems. Their pursuers weren’t far. Cassian returne
327. No Way Back
“They’re everywhere!” Doug shouted, firing off a round as he ducked behind a broken tree. Elijah gritted his teeth, his sword slicing through one of the Warden’s men. The ambush had been fast—too fast. They had barely taken a breath before the enemy forces had surrounded them, cutting off every possible escape route. Sophia moved beside him, her breathing heavy. For the first time since her capture, she was fighting at his side. Her hands trembled, energy crackling at her fingertips. It felt different now—stronger, wilder. “I can stop this,” she murmured. Elijah blocked a strike, shoving an attacker back with sheer force. “Not like that,” he snapped. She met his gaze, frustration and fear warring inside her. “If I don’t, we’ll die.” Lando’s voice cut through the chaos. “She’s right.” He crouched beside Cassian, both of them covering Doug’s flank. “The only way out of this is a full-scale wipeout. And she’s the only one who can do it.” Elijah’s jaw tightened. “Absolutely
326. Reunion in the Dark
“She’s here!” Doug’s voice cut through the silence, his breath visible in the cold night air. Elijah rushed forward, his boots crunching against the ice-covered ground. The dim moonlight barely illuminated the small clearing where Sophia lay motionless in the snow. She was barely breathing. His heart clenched. He had imagined this moment over and over—the moment he’d finally find her. But not like this. Not pale and broken, her clothes torn, her body trembling. Elijah dropped to his knees beside her, his gloved hand brushing her cheek. “Sophia.” His voice was low, urgent. “Wake up.” A flicker of movement—her eyelids fluttered open. Her golden-brown eyes locked onto his, but something was different. There was a strange glow beneath their depths, something unnatural. “Elijah…” Her voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. “I’m here,” he murmured, his grip tightening around her freezing hand. “You’re safe now.” Behind him, Cassian shifted uneasily. “Marshal… we need to be c
325. Blood in the Snow
“I won’t die here.”Sophia muttered the words through gritted teeth, pushing forward through the biting wind. Snow whipped against her face, the freezing air seeping into her bones. Her legs felt like lead, her breath came in ragged gasps, but she couldn’t stop. Stopping meant death.Her body ached, every step a battle. She had lost count of how many hours she had been running, how many times she had stumbled through the endless white expanse. The world around her was eerily silent, save for the distant howling of the wind.And the hunters were getting closer.She could feel them. Even without seeing them, she knew they were near. The Warden’s creations—twisted monsters with enhanced speed, strength, and senses far beyond human capabilities. They had been bred for one purpose: to track and kill.And right now, they were tracking her.A branch snapped somewhere behind her.Sophia spun, her breath catching in her throat.Nothing.Just the trees, standing tall and lifeless, their blacken
324. Unlikely Allies
“Elijah Norton.” Elijah barely looked up as Lando strode into the dimly lit war room. His hands tightened into fists at the sound of the man’s voice, but he remained still, his expression unreadable. The tension in the air was suffocating. Doug stepped forward, his voice rigid with contempt. “You’ve got some nerve showing your face here, Yale.” Lando smirked, completely unfazed. He moved with an air of confidence, like he belonged—like he hadn’t been one of the reasons Sophia had been taken in the first place. “I could say the same to you, Commander,” Lando replied smoothly, then turned his gaze back to Elijah. “I assume you know why I’m here.” Elijah’s eyes darkened. “That depends. Are you here to waste my time, or do you actually have something useful to say?” Lando chuckled, but there was no humor in it. “Straight to the point, as always.” He folded his arms, leaning slightly against the table. “Sophia has escaped.” Silence. Elijah’s fingers twitched, but his expres
