Revenge of the Resilient

ed with the murkiness of the storm to come. The compound raid had been half a success-at least a blow that had crippled The Serpent, but far from killing it. S

The first death had been Harrison, but she feared this was only the beginning of a long line of casualties. Allies were few and

more of our people," he said under his breath. "Hit in broad dayli

tiffening. "Let them try," she sai

People are scared, and fear makes them dangerous. We can't keep pushing without securing mo

t had too much at their command. Tackling them wasn't as easy as taking down a si

whisper. "We need to go after their financials. If we can cut off their fu

yebrow. "And how do

Serpent's financial operations are tied to offshore accounts hidden behind layers of false i

Wh

e Luca empire, then she vanished into the shadows. She hadn't been seen since, although everyo

Serpent's purse," Elara said. "Without t

re you going to find someone who

dangerous smile. "I have a

-

g glasses of crystal filled the air. The charity gala was one of the most exclusive events of the year, and

k crowns over her forehead as she glided through the crowd of attending the ball. H

side her. "Everything's in place," he murmure

had been one of careful design: an exclusive chance for one of the city's hidden playe

oom, talking with a group of executives. She was tall, dark-haired and grac

ry-sleek like a snake and powerful, all while masterfully wedging herself into

crowd like a predator stalked prey. As Elena turned, their gazes met,

er voice smooth. "I've been lo

st be Elara Hunt. Your name has been circulating

t reach her eyes. "I

ed but cautious. "I don't make

val. You've tied yourself to The Serpent, but they're crumbling. Their ne

rp, but she said nothing, wa

d, stepping closer. "But if you work with me, I can protect you. Help me cut off thei

eternity. Then she smiled, but the smile didn't exactly work t

her with icy calculation. "But you don't comprehend. The Serpent's not some snare. They

. And then, just as Elena was going out of hearing, she paused there, low sharp voice, like

thought her enemy to be a worthy adversary. The Serpent wasn't just a

hadn't gi

dened within her. She watched, and so did the Serpen

-

ung over her, and Elena had declined her offer. Now, The Serpent would be the most sinister

t Adrian, his face

rp, cold, and calculating. "Now we hit them wher

ncern etched on his face. "You know that means open war,

"I never thought I'd return. We disma

dangerous spark flashed withi

to be brought to a boil. Never had the stakes been higher, never had the cost of failure lo

uld come. And it wou