Hugo strolled up to his mansion with the relaxed air of a man who hadn't just witnessed someone bend nature to their will, trash-talked that same person, and then casually returned to his multi-million lumen estate. His footsteps crunched on the pristine gravel path leading to the ornate front gate, where water danced in an elaborate fountain, catching the late afternoon light.

  As he approached, the massive iron gates creaked open. Veronica stepped out to greet him, flanked by two identical young men. They stood straight-backed on either side of her like mirror images, their light brown hair falling messily to their shoulders, their eyes sharp with hidden mischief. Neither was particularly tall or muscular, but something in their relaxed postures suggested coiled danger—like matches waiting for a strike. They wore matching hoodies, their noose tattoos perfectly positioned on the same side of their necks.

  Veronica planted herself directly in Hugo's path, crossing her arms with a posture that somehow managed to be both confrontational and seductive. "Well?" She arched an eyebrow. "Does our resident enlightiy know anything worthwhile?"

  Hugo's deep chuckle rumbled from his chest as he shook his head. "Not a damn thing. Though he did get all soft-eyed about our little visitors."

  "All the more reason to string them up and be done with it," one of the twins said, his fingers dancing through the air as if already feeling a rope between them.

  Hugo's massive hand clapped down on the young man's shoulder with enough force to make him wince. "I appreciate the enthusiasm, Zeke, but hanging folks without solid proof ain't my style." His smile never wavered, but something dangerous flickered behind his eyes. "Gotta keep some standards, don't we?"

  The other twin leaned forward, practically bouncing on his toes. "But you've got something planned for getting that proof, don't you, boss?" His voice carried an eagerness that bordered on hunger.

  "Right on the money, Zack." Hugo's smile widened, revealing teeth too perfect to be natural. "I want you two to pay a visit to their inn. And tell them exactly this..." He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper as identical grins spread across the twins' faces like spilled ink.

  Back at the inn, tension hung in the air like smoke as Angelo, Red, Blue, and Sol huddled around the small table in their room. Neiva lay curled on one of the beds, her chest rising and falling in the deep rhythm of exhausted sleep.

  Sol raked his fingers through his silver-white hair, his usual confident smile replaced by a thoughtful frown. "If Red's onto something here, then we can safely assume everything that came out of Lavvy's mouth was pure bullshit."

  "Indeed," Blue nodded, his perfect posture somehow making the cheap wooden chair look like a throne. "His geological expertise appears suspiciously fortuitous given our objective here. One might describe it as tailor-made for facilitating interaction with our group."

  "Exactly!" Sol snapped his fingers. "What are the odds he just happens to have the perfect background to approach us about the mines?"

  Red sat crossed legged, his head swiveled between Sol and Blue like he was watching a tennis match, his brow furrowed in visible confusion. His fingers tapped a restless rhythm against his thigh.

  Angelo caught the movement from the corner of his eye. "What's your problem now?"

  "I can't fucking decide if this detective shit is cool or just next-level nerdy!" Red burst out, throwing his hands up. "And it's driving me absolutely insane!"

  Angelo rolled his eyes hard enough to risk strain. "Right." He turned back to Sol, deliberately ignoring Red's outburst. "So what does it mean that he specifically chose that cover story?"

  Blue's scholarly voice cut through the tension. "The logical conclusion is that this Lavvy individual possesses prior knowledge regarding both our presence in Thunderclap Port and our investigative objectives."

  Sol's eyes widened as realization hit him like a physical blow. "That's it!" He lowered his voice, leaning forward over the table. "When we were talking earlier, he tried to drag me to some 'geological formation' he'd discovered." His fingers made sarcastic air quotes. "But then he said something that didn't click until now..."

  "What?" Angelo's voice sharpened with impatience, his hands clenching into fists on the tabletop.

  "He said it was too dangerous for just one Auron." Sol's gaze locked with Angelo's. "Then he asked if I knew any others who might come along. He wasn't being subtle at all—he was fishing for you, Angelo."

  Blue stroked his chin thoughtfully, his movements precise and measured. "Someone who tracked our movements to this remote location, possessed foreknowledge of our purpose here, and demonstrates specific interest in Angelo..."

  "Only one suspect comes to mind," Sol said, his voice dropping to just above a whisper.

  Red slammed his palms against the table, making everyone jump. "For fuck's sake, would you two stop with the dramatic pauses and just spit it out already? You're killing me here!"

  "Whoever's working with Ashly and Nova," Sol replied, unfazed by Red's outburst. "The mysterious third person who sent those twins after us."

  Angelo crossed his arms over his chest, his shoulders tensing visibly. "So it wasn't Dray after all." He glanced toward the door as if expecting trouble to burst through any moment. "But this Lavvy character doesn't strike me as an Auron—or at least not a powerful one."

  "Perhaps," Blue suggested, adjusting his non-existent glasses with scholarly precision, "he functions as the strategic component of their operational triad. He employs himself as bait precisely because we've already encountered his more combat-capable associates."

  "That fits," Sol nodded, his fingers drumming thoughtfully against the wooden table.

  Red's trademark predatory grin spread across his face. "So? Want me to grab him? I could drag him in here, and we could have ourselves a little... conversation." The way he said the last word made it clear he wasn't thinking about talking.

  "No..." Sol's brow furrowed in concentration. "We need to be smarter than that. This is the first real advantage we've had over them." He glanced toward the window, his voice dropping lower. "They're probably watching us right now, just waiting for us to make a move. If we get aggressive, they'll jump in without hesitation."

  "Then what's your brilliant alternative?" Angelo demanded, his patience visibly wearing thin.

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  Sol's eyes sparkled with sudden inspiration as he met Angelo's gaze. "Follow my lead."

  They filed out of the room, leaving Neiva still curled on the bed, her face peaceful in sleep as she remained blissfully unaware of the brewing storm.

  Sol approached Lavvy in the lobby with his most disarming smile, the kind that could charm secrets from a locked safe. Lavvy sat in a threadbare armchair, fingers tapping nervously against his expensive coat.

  "Hey Lavvy, sorry about earlier," Sol called out cheerfully. He gestured behind him where Angelo and Blue appeared to be restraining Red. "I think we've got him somewhat under control now."

  "I swear I'll gut him like a fish!" Red snarled, thrashing against their grip with convincing fury.

  Lavvy's eyes widened slightly before he forced out an uncomfortable laugh. "Well, as long as you didn't have to kill each other over it..." He straightened in his chair. "So, did you consider my humble request?"

  "Absolutely," Sol dropped into the chair opposite Lavvy, his movements casual but calculated. "It sounds fascinating, truly. But my companion here," he tossed a playful smirk toward Angelo, "is pathologically cautious. Won't step foot on a mission for someone he just met." Sol leaned forward, his voice dropping conspiratorially. "How about you tell us a bit about yourself? Help us build some trust?"

  "O-oh," Lavvy hesitated, his fingers clutching at his coat lapels. "What would you like to know?"

  "Nothing complicated," Sol waved a hand airily, though his eyes had taken on a predatory sharpness that matched Red's grin. "Where you're from, what sparked your passion for geology... simple stuff."

  Red's suddenly stopped resisting as if the power drained from him. Before anyone could react, an eerie silence fell over the lobby like a physical weight. The temperature seemed to drop several degrees in seconds.

  "How may we assist you, Masters Zack and Zeke?" The trembling voice of the receptionist cut through the unnatural quiet.

  The group turned toward the entrance as one. Standing in the doorway were two identical young men, their matching smiles as cold and sharp as freshly forged blades.

  Everyone went stiff as the twins approached, their matching footsteps echoing across the inn's worn floor. Angelo's shoulders squared, his eyes narrowing to dangerous slits like a predator preparing to strike.

  "So you're the new faces around town," Zack said, his words casual but his eyes sharp as knives.

  Zeke's gaze drifted to where Angelo and Blue still held Red, though they'd all but forgotten they were supposed to be restraining him. A dangerous smile spread across Zeke's face. "Well damn, bro, would you look at that—a triplet! They've got us beat!" His smile never wavered, teeth gleaming in the dim lobby light.

  Angelo cut through their playful banter like a blade through paper. "And you are?" His voice was flat, tired, like he'd dealt with this kind of trouble a hundred times before.

  "Zack," one twin answered, the word sharp as a slap.

  "Zeke," the other offered with casual menace, rocking back on his heels.

  Sol stepped forward, hands spread in a gesture of peace that didn't match the wariness in his eyes. "Something tells me you didn't just stop by to introduce yourselves."

  "Got that right," Zeke nodded.

  "Damn straight," Zack echoed simultaneously.

  Zack wiggled his fingers in a clawing motion, his smile all teeth. "We're the Cliffhangers' claws and fangs."

  Red broke free of Angelo's loosened grip, stepping forward with his own mocking grin. "And what do the big bad kitty-cat's claws and fangs want with little old us?" His tone dripped with sarcasm that made both twins' expressions sharpen like suddenly drawn blades.

  "The boss doesn't like unknowns." Zeke's friendly tone had cooled several degrees. "We have reason to think you lot might be trouble."

  Sol moved between them, his silver hair catching the light as he offered his most disarming smile. "I can assure you gentlemen, we've been on our absolute best behavior since arriving in your lovely town."

  "Sorry, grandpa, but we got our orders." Zack's casual insult hit its mark—Sol's playful expression vanished at the word 'grandpa,' his eyes hardening.

  Angelo stepped forward, hands loose at his sides but ready. "And those would be?"

  "We've been ordered to challenge you to a sparring match," Zack explained, bouncing slightly on his toes like an excited child. "At the Cliffhangers' training field."

  Blue tilted his head, scholarly curiosity evident in his perfect posture. "And should we decline this rather unexpected invitation?"

  Zeke ran a finger across his throat before making a noose gesture with his hands. He stuck out his tongue and rolled his eyes back, pantomiming a hanging. "You get the idea."

  "Bring it on, sissy twins!" Red bounced forward, crimson energy crackling around his fists. "I'll take you both at the same time—" He stopped suddenly, grimacing. "That came out wrong."

  "After you, then." The twins gestured toward the door with identical sweeping motions, their synchronized movements unsettling to watch.

  The group followed, leaving Lavvy completely forgotten in his armchair. His mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for water.

  When they disappeared from sight, Lavvy finally released a shaky breath that seemed to deflate his entire body. "That was way too close for comfort," he muttered to himself, slumping deeper into the chair before pushing himself up with trembling hands.

  He stumbled back to his room, closing the door behind him without really registering his own movements. His expensive coat suddenly felt too heavy, too constricting, as panic clawed at his chest.

  "The way they behaved..." He paced back and forth across the small room, his shoes wearing invisible tracks in the floor. "It's like they knew. Like they saw right through me." He stopped abruptly, pressing his fingers against his temples. "But how? I didn't give anything away."

  He forced himself to think back through the encounter, searching for the moment everything changed. "When did it go wrong?" His mind settled on Red's sudden aggression. "Yes... that was it. That Angelo copy just turned hostile out of nowhere."

  Lavvy snapped his fingers as understanding dawned. "If we assume worst-case scenario, that copy somehow detected my deception, which triggered his hostility." He resumed pacing, his footsteps quickening with his racing thoughts.

  "That explains their behavior in the lobby. If they already knew about me, asking about my background was an obvious trap." Lavvy dragged a hand down his face. "They knew I couldn't invent a convincing story on the spot."

  He moved to the window, peering through the curtains at the empty street below. "My mission is already compromised. Thank goodness those twins showed up when they did, or I'd be in serious trouble." He began gathering his belongings, stuffing them haphazardly into his travel bag. "Time to vanish. Back to the drawing board—I shall not disappoint my liege!" He thrust one finger dramatically toward the ceiling, striking a heroic pose to an empty room.

  A sudden knock made him jump so violently he tossed whatever he held across the room and nearly crashed into the dresser. "Lavvy? Are you in there?" Neiva's voice carried through the thin door, followed by more knocking. "Do you know where my friends went?"

  Lavvy stared at the door, his heart hammering against his ribs as he slowly inched toward it.

  Meanwhile, the group had arrived at Hugo's mansion, ushered around the impressive building without a chance to admire its grandeur. Tension hung in the air like a physical weight, making even the beautifully manicured gardens seem threatening. They finally stopped at a large open area behind the mansion that had clearly been designed for training—or fighting.

  Angelo and his companions stood on one side of the field, the twins on the other, measuring each other like boxers before a match.

  "So what are the sparring rules?" Angelo called across the grass, his voice carrying easily in the still air.

  Zeke's smile widened as he exchanged a look with his brother. "No rules. This is a tag match." He stretched his arms overhead, cracking his knuckles with deliberate slowness. "You'll be free to go once we've seen what you can do and decided you're not a threat."

  Red leaned forward, a challenge in his stance. "What's stopping us from holding back, then? Not showing our full power?"

  "Well," Zack's dangerous grin spread wider, "then you'd just be risking your lives. But sure, go ahead—we'll make it nice and quick." The twins' matching expressions made it clear they understood the stakes.

  Sol turned to Angelo, silver hair catching the dim grey light. His usual playfulness had vanished, replaced by grim determination. "Should you and I take them on?"

  Angelo shook his head, watching the twins with calculating eyes. "No, you're still recovering from that chest wound." His gaze shifted to Red and Blue standing beside them. "Besides, I can use this opportunity..."

  He turned to his duplicates, decision made. "Red, Blue—you'll take them on. Twins against twins."

  Red and Blue's eyes widened in perfect synchronization, both staring at Angelo as if he'd suggested they sprout wings and fly to the moon.