Chapter 4 | Draped in a dark brown cloak

Jacoby leaned against the stone wall, the distant crackles of the fireworks fading into the background as he stared intently at Sellers, then Casimir. Retreating inward, he wrestled between the conflicting philosophies. Jacoby was a practical man who had built his empire through carefully calculated decisions. Hisham has always been unpredictable, so eliminating him was the straightforward solution. It would remove all variables and ensure a clearer path to achieve his desired goal. He remembered the lessons of his youth—his father showing no hesitation in cutting down any obstacle that stood in his way.

But he also couldn’t get Sellers’s voice out of his head. What if Hisham’s intelligence could be harnessed? What if his skills and talents could be used to their advantage? Hisham was an annoying thorn, but maybe—just maybe—he could become a powerful ally against the Conglomerate. An invaluable asset. But was it a realistic outcome? Could he truly be converted, or would he simply wait for the right time to bring down the whole operation?

Mercy in the wrong place could be a fatal weakness. But there was something in Hisham’s defiance, his refusal to be cowed into submission, that meant he had a strange respect for him. Surely attaining such a man was worth some risk? After all, maybe eliminating Hisham would plant the seeds of even more dissent and bring about even more trouble in the long run. He glanced over at Casimir; the sheriff’s eyes burned with a dark desire to inflict pain, a pervasive eagerness to hurt Hisham—a hunger Jacoby found useful at times but mostly a nuisance to keep in check and under control.

Then there was Sellers, who stood firm and calm, arms crossed and eyes calculating. Could the calmer voice be right this time around? Hisham’s morals ran deep from a force Jacoby did not understand yet, but every man had a breaking point. Maybe they just needed to learn Hisham’s. Jacoby clenched his jaw and assumed a rigid stance. He had made a choice. He pushed off the wall, his face still etched with the remnants of the inner conflict as he announced, “Luther, we will try your method.

If Hisham’s skills can be utilised, he will prove to be a more powerful ally.” Sellers gave a faint smile as he nodded. Casimir’s face twisted with rage as he reached for his dagger.

“Let me take this dagger to his throat, and I swear to you, you will have no more obstacles in your—“

“It has been decided, Terrance. That is my final word,” rebuked Jacoby.

Hisham, still hidden in the shadows, was full of dread at the idea of being pulled into their dark, sinister plans.

“Were they planning to take on the Conglomerate? Surely even Jacoby was not mad enough to attempt that?” Hisham thought.

With final glances exchanged between them, the four cloaked repeated the same chant as before, the rhythmic hum sending chills through Hisham’s body. It felt like listening to something unnatural. Something forbidden. And then, their meeting was over as they, one by one, slipped into the night, into the maze of alleyways of Whitemoss.

Hisham remained still until the last shadow disappeared. Once sure, he moved, his footsteps quick and silent as he navigated his way back to the stalls with hurried glances over his shoulder to ensure he was not followed. Finally reaching the vendor from Lahidis, Hisham offered him a hastened smile, passing him with a determined march. Colours shimmered overhead as the final fireworks exploded to the crowd’s cheers below. Hisham couldn’t help but feel they were watching him. Without stopping, he turned to see a now dark, star-adorned sky. He knew one thing with frightening certainty—they were coming for him.

And soon.

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