It was half-past midnight, and rain sheeted down onto the streets of Windsor, Ontario. But the brittle wind that ran across the city, howling through the thundering sky, didn’t stop the man from getting to his destination. Instead of paying attention to the icy wind slapping his face or the hard-bucketing downpour drenching him to the bone, he paid closer attention to what was ahead of him. The dim light of a building shone in the distance, standing out against the night. And he was determined to reach it.

Beside him, rows of barren trees lined the side of the pathway. Beyond them lay a blanket of darkness, mantling the unknown. Most people would have been too afraid to even come this way at such an hour. But the man knew better. He knew that whatever was out there in the shadows couldn’t harm him. That was why, when he heard the crack of a twig to his side, he merely kept on walking.

Until somebody spoke from behind him.

“Grayson.”

At the sound of the voice, Grayson went rigid, not wanting to turn around and face what he knew was coming for him. However, he also knew he couldn’t avoid the man behind him forever. So with his jaw tightening and his teeth clenching, Grayson turned to face him.

“Caden,” Grayson replied, just as curtly as Caden had spoken. By his sides, his hand clenched into fists. He grit his teeth. His blood was boiling with hated for Caden—hatred and jealousy over his power and the ease with which he’d obtained it. Caden, on the other hand, detested Grayson for not trying hard enough to take advantage of the situation he was in.

He was the adoptive father of the Keeper.

Caden walked up to Grayson, not tearing his eyes away from the short man with shallow chocolate eyes. “Going somewhere?” he asked.

 “Yes, actually,” Grayson replied, looking up at the younger man. Of the two, Caden was stronger and much smarter. Both of them knew it. “So if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to take my leave.”

He turned and started walking away, impatient to meet Byron, but Caden simply followed. “I know what you’re doing,” he announced.

Grayson halted in his tracks. How much did Caden know? Did he know everything about his plans?

“And what exactly am I doing?” Grayson demanded, fear coursing through his veins as he realized how badly this could hinder his plans.

“Keeping tabs on the Keeper isn’t going to do you any good.”

Grayson wondered how Caden knew about Byron and what he was doing. How had he found out? More importantly, did he know why he was keeping tabs on the Keeper? And if so, what was he planning on doing with that information?

He tried not to let his confusion show as he took two steps through the mud toward Caden and cocked his head to the side. “And why are you willing to tell me that?”

“Because I want to work together.”

Grayson squinted up at him. Why would Caden be willing to work with him—why would somebody that powerful want to work with anyone like him?

“Why?” he demanded, crossing his arms.

“Grayson, you are in a position that could benefit me, and if you agree to work with me, I will give you something in return.”

“I don’t need your help.”

“I know you want the gem.”

Grayson tried hard not to shake—to hide his fear—as Caden circled around him. He wasn’t sure how Caden knew this, but chances were he would try to stop him. He would want to take the gem for himself.

“At the rate you’re going, you’re never going to find the gem. You need a much better plan, and I can help you with that.” He stopped walking, pausing at Grayson’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll let you keep the gem. I want something else.”

“What?”

Caden’s thin lips pulled into a grin. “Reign over Planet Earth.”

Grayson could feel Caden’s breath on the back of his neck as he continued talking, making the hairs on his body rise. “However, I’m willing to share that reign with you. I’m willing to let you live, let you become immortal by destroying the gem. You already know I don’t need its power to achieve my goal, so it’ll be all yours.”

Grayson’s mind whirred. He had no reason to say no. If he chose to work with Caden, he could take advantage of him to get the gem and then kill him. He didn’t want to share his reign over Earth. He needed all the power to himself if he was going to get the Wunissa back. He knew she wouldn’t come willingly, so he had to bind her to him with his power. He’d hold her captive, which he could only do with the power of the gem and the submission of all those pathetic humans, who would guard her day and night and keep her from leaving the mansion he would so easily obtain once he stole the gem.

Once he stole the gem and became the most powerful creature on Earth, she could never leave him. She would always be his, and the Keeper would be dead. He would get his revenge on the Keeper, and he would have the Wunissa trapped in his grasp for the rest of eternity.

Working with Caden could be a shortcut to achieving all he dreamed of. However, he needed to sort out his options and choose the best one. If it required working with Caden, then he would do it. He would just have to be wary of Caden and make sure he protected himself well.

But first, he had to hear what Caden had to say.

“What do you have in mind?” Grayson asked.

A wicked grin stretched across Caden’s face as he began explaining. When he was done, the two men departed, heading their separate ways, with a deal made and murder on both of their minds.