Damon just stood there studying the guy. The old man was anything but simple. He was manipulative, always three moves ahead and holding a backup plan behind his back, and yet today, he looked tired. Not physically, his posture was still straight, his robes flawless. There was just something off about him.
"You helped me more than you think." Damon shook his head.
"But it’s still not enough to make you stay?" Artimius smiled.
Damon paused. He understood what the old man meant. By staying, he would be choosing to participate in the clan’s dealings and, in the end, it wouldn’t be different from joining the clan.
And Damon did not want to do that.
Artimius exhaled through his nose, the barest twitch of disappointment crossing his features. "I suppose I already know your answer. Well, carry on then. This is not the time and place to discuss the future. I don’t know when we will be able to meet each other again, but when we do, I hope we get a chance to spar a little the next time. All this talking is making me feel very old."
Damon was surprised. He didn’t expect their conversation to end so simply.
"Sylvara will be accompanying you to your new location. I can offer you protection for another month at most. These safe locations are known only to me and Sylvara. There should not be any unexpected guests. Sylvara can fill you in on other details. Take care, Blood God. The nine families are not to be taken lightly. You would be wise not to underestimate them."
With that, the old man gave him a nod and walked over to one side of the hangar to stand quietly.
Damon actually did not need any of this. He only needed a safe place for the next few hours at most, but he did not want to spill any information at the last moment.
He silently agreed and signaled everyone to get on the private plane. Mark and Kate had also arrived with their mother, who was looking a lot better now. Everyone they knew and cared about was here. This was it.
The whole group got onto the plane, followed by Damon and lastly Sylvara. Everyone was shocked to see that Sylvara herself was planning to fly the plane.
Sylvara didn’t say a word as she slipped into the pilot’s seat. Her movements were smooth, practiced like someone who’d done this a hundred times before. With a flick of her fingers, the plane’s interface lit up with a gentle hum.
Georgina, still holding her daughter, stared with wide eyes. "Wait... she’s flying this thing?" The woman did not trust anyone, and naturally, she became very anxious on seeing Sylvara getting ready to fly an actual plane.
"Don’t worry, Miss Georgina. I am confident I can get you and your family to the safe location without any issues."
Georgina scoffed and turned her head. "Great. Now his girlfriend is calling the shots."
Damon ignored her, and everyone else did the same, which only made Georgina more irritated. She quietly mumbled something about the plane not even having an air hostess and started reapplying her makeup.
Soon, the engines roared to life and the plane began to rise. Damon’s eyes were still fixated on Artimius, who stared at him with an indecipherable expression on his face. The whole thing just sent a chill down Damon’s spine.
As they lifted into the sky, Damon looked out the window one last time. Artimius was still there, a solitary figure in green, watching them rise through the clouds.
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