The Apocalyptic Queen's Werewolf Journey (Thora and Darius) novel Chapter 477

It was winter in the Golden Triad, and snow was falling from a heavy sky.

Atop a snow-blanketed high-rise rooftop, a tall, lean figure leaned lazily against the wall, one hand idly toying with a black handgun. The muzzle spun casually between his fingers, catching the cold light with every turn.

It was Lance—the same man who had left Blue Star Military Academy half a year ago, having completed a mercenary mission during his six months enrolled there.

His striking blue eyes tracked the slender yet upright figure moving along the street below, narrowing ever so slightly as he murmured under his breath, "What's she doing here?"

The words had barely left his lips before something clicked. A glint of realization passed through his gaze. "Ah ... this must be the Blue Star Military Academy's World Missions season."

He stared fixedly in the direction Thora had disappeared, the bangs falling across his forehead casting half his face into shadow, making his expression impossible to read.

The memory of Father Wyatt’s voice cut through him. "Some things in this world should be kept at a distance. It’s like a flame—get too close, and it scars you. So you stand back. You admire it, or you fear it, from afar. Unless ... you learn to smother it. Then the heat can’t touch you at all."

The hand playing with the gun went still. His long, well-defined fingers tightened around the grip, knuckles turning white. Then, slowly, his lips curved into a smile—faint, unreadable. If the light went out, then what would he have left to look forward to?

Just then, Julio appeared before him in an instant, bowing his head respectfully. "Boss."

Lance straightened up unhurriedly, slipped the handgun into the inner pocket of his overcoat, and turned toward the rooftop exit without another glance.

Julio fell in behind him immediately, delivering his report in a low voice. "Boss, we've located one of Mirage Corsairs' branch operations. Their target this time is the seizure of a large shipment of assets. Sharkie and the others have already scouted the site. Everyone's standing by for your orders."

"Mm." Lance gave a single, flat hum in response. His tone was calm and completely detached. He said nothing more, and his figure vanished through the rooftop doorway.

...

Thora pulled her gaze back as well, acting as though she'd seen nothing, and continuing forward with Shirley and Luke in tow.

Pedestrians moved up and down the street in steady streams, and the three of them blended seamlessly into the crowd, drawing no attention.

Then, suddenly, Thora's eyes locked onto something at the far end of an alley—a large cargo truck parked there, with a familiar emblem printed in an inconspicuous spot on its side.

Her mind raced through her memory, and in a flash, the image of a cruise ship surfaced.

She remembered now. When the Hawthornes had kidnapped Darius, the cruise ship they'd used bore that exact same emblem.

Shirley and Luke noticed the shift in Thora's demeanor and immediately asked, "Boss, what is it?"

"Bye!" Shirley popped her head out the window and waved, grinning from ear to ear.

The driver, meanwhile, was already on his knees scooping up bills—who had time to chase a car? That beat-up taxi wasn't worth a fraction of the cash now scattered at his feet.

Shirley sat in the passenger seat, watching the money-grabbing driver shrink in the rearview mirror, laughing so hard she could barely breathe.

Thora kept her focus locked on the cargo truck ahead, then suddenly jerked the wheel hard, letting the taxi tap lightly against the truck's rear end.

"Got your gear?" Thora asked, her voice low.

Shirley nodded without hesitation. "Always!" Her gear never left her side.

"Can you drive?" Thora asked, eyes still glued to the road ahead.

Shirley blinked, then quickly shook her head. "No. Thora, what are you about to do?"

"Nothing much. You're about to learn." As she spoke, Thora grabbed Shirley's hand and pressed it onto the steering wheel, popped open the sunroof, and launched herself out of the car—simultaneously hauling Shirley into the driver's seat in one fluid motion.