Chapter 4006

“Is lunch ready, Dyta?” Orion asked Jirni’s cousin, who served as a maid and also acted as Jirni’s body double against enemies of the Ernas household who couldn’t detect energy signatures.

“Yes, my lord.” She nodded. “The table has been set according to your instructions.”

“Excellent.” Orion dismissed her with a gesture. “We’ll be there in a minute. Just give us time to freshen up.”

Dyta performed a flawless curtsy and initiated one final, deep scan of the Ernas mansion for intruders, listening devices, or anything out of place. At her silent signal, every member of the house staff belonging to the Myrok Household carried out their part of the grid search with unwavering diligence.

Orion checked his clock and quickened his pace, leading Tista to her quarters and then through a secret passage concealed within the wall. Its mechanical design rendered it invisible to magical detection, and the craftsmanship was so precise that there were no visible seams or drafts.

Tista followed Orion through a maze of corridors that led them to the very heart of the Ernas mansion. The final door required both a magical rune and a drop of blood from a living Ernas to open.

Orion cut his palm and allowed the enchantments sealing the door to verify not only his descent from Juria, but also the pulse of his life force and the resonance of his mana core.