"What?"

"After yesterday," Ethan began, "the total pledges I got from people wanting the Vanguard and the jets were over thirty million gold."

Isabella’s eyes widened, lifting her head from his shoulder and staring at him. "Woah."

"That’s not all," Ethan continued. "Some of them, like the transport guys, sent between two and five million each to Stark Industries’ main account as a show of commitment. And we haven’t even discussed prices yet."

"Babe, that’s really huge," Isabella said, her voice filled with genuine awe.

Ethan nodded. "I know. I already spoke with Lucy yesterday. We’re going to need more hands, so Stark Industries is doing a lot of recruiting. With the pledges we’ve received, we already have standing orders. I’d say this is a really great start."

Isabella smiled, reaching up to cup his cheek. "Aw, congrats, babe. I’m proud of you."

Ethan leaned into her touch, his own smile softening. "Thanks."

At that moment, Ishtar descended the stairs carrying a bag. She was dressed neatly, and her expression was calm and composed as she approached Ethan and Isabella.

Both of them turned to her.

"Is Ray here already?" Isabella asked.

Ishtar shook her head. "No, but I received his text. He’s close to arriving. That’s why I came to do this now."

She turned to face Ethan fully and gave a deep, respectful bow. "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Ethan."

"It’s fine, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it," Ethan said, waving his hand dismissively.

Ishtar straightened, her gaze meeting his. "May I ask a question?"

Ethan looked surprised. This was the first time she had ever engaged in conversation beyond the usual pleasantries. He nodded. "Go on."

"Are you a member of House Azazel?"

Ethan visibly stiffened. There was a brief pause. Then, slowly, he nodded. "Yes. I am."

"Oh, I see," Ishtar said with a small nod.

Isabella wasn’t entirely following the conversation, but she didn’t interfere.

Ethan’s eyes narrowed slightly. "How did you know?"

"You mentioned your family trait the first night I was here," Ishtar said. "I only know one house that used to have that trait."

Ethan nodded, then his gaze narrowed a bit. "Is there another reason you asked? It seemed like you already knew I was, so I’m not entirely sure this is just curiosity."

Ishtar bowed again quickly. "I mean no disrespect, nor do I wish to come off as ungrateful."

Ethan sighed. "I don’t think that. So, is it just curiosity?"

Ishtar hesitated for a moment, then spoke carefully. "Yes, but not because I wanted to confirm the trait. I only asked because House Azazel had gone extinct. I was surprised to see there was still one more."

"Oh," Ethan said. He already knew this. The system had once told him he was the last Azazel. But her words prompted another question, one he couldn’t help but ask. "Do you know how they went extinct?"

Ishtar nodded. "About two decades ago, our ruler ordered a full bloodline eradication of House Azazel."

"The Demon King?" Ethan asked.

Ishtar nodded again. "Yes. But the one who truly carried out the killing was one of their own. The heir to the Azazel family, Renaal Azazel. He was the one who wiped out the entire house."

Both Ethan and Isabella’s eyes widened in shock.

"Is... is this Renaal still alive?" Ethan asked. in a not so audible tone.

Ishtar shook her head. "I’m unsure, Lord Ethan. The stories say that Renaal vanished after wiping out the clan. No one has ever heard of him or the house ever since."

Before Ethan could respond, a honk sounded from the gates.

Ethan’s head turned toward the sound. "That has to be Rayleigh."

-

A few moments later, Rayleigh entered the house. After brief pleasantries and a final check to make sure Ishtar had everything, it seemed they were ready to go.

Rayleigh turned to Ethan. "Before we leave, I need you to remove the sealing spell you placed on the Carrion Seal."

Ishtar stretched out her right arm toward Ethan. The black markings representing the Carrion Seal were visible, and imprinted on her skin like tattoos.

Ethan looked at Rayleigh. "Are you sure I should remove this?"

Rayleigh nodded. "You placed the sealing spell on Ishtar because you needed to make sure she wouldn’t be of any harm. But I never needed that reassurance. The Carrion Seal is a part of her, so It may be of use to her someday."

Ethan studied him for a moment, then nodded. "I understand."

He stepped closer to Ishtar and extended his hand over her arm. The glow of a magic circle emanated from his palm as he undid the Vol Stassis spell that had kept her Carrion Seal in a suspended state.

Ishtar nodded in thanks. Rayleigh extended his hand toward Ethan, and they shook firmly.

Isabella stepped forward and placed a hand on Rayleigh’s shoulder. "Return home safely. And quickly."

Rayleigh smiled. "I will."

With that, he and Ishtar turned and walked toward the door.

Ethan watched them go, with a trouble look on his face. The revelation about House Azazel weighed heavily on his mind, especially the part about this Renaal. The heir who had destroyed his own family.

Isabella noticed the worry on his face and gently held his cheek, turning his gaze toward her. "Don’t worry too much about it."

Ethan nodded, though the tension didn’t fully leave him. He let out a slow breath. "I also need to go to work now."

He paused, then smirked slightly. "Don’t you have school to be at?"

Isabella laughed. "I’m taking the day off."

They both leaned in and kissed, the moment brief but warm. Then Ethan pulled away, gave her one last smile, and headed toward the door.

-

In a different part of the country...

The room was dimly lit, with the only sound being the muffled rhythm of two people tangled together on the bed.

The inn was cheap, and the walls were thin enough that every creak and moan could probably be heard next door.

The woman straddled the man beneath her, her breathing heavy as they kissed with a desperation that bordered on violent. His hands gripped her waist tightly, pulling her closer.

Then, suddenly, they both stopped.

A searing pain shot through their right arms, and they both yelled out in shock.

Strange markings began to draw themselves onto their skin, burning as they formed. The woman clutched her arm, gritting her teeth, while the man hissed through clenched jaw.

The pain lasted only a few moments, and when it finally subsided, they both let out shaky breaths of relief.

Then, slowly, they both turned to look at their right arms.

The markings were different from each other, but they pulsed faintly with the same energy. They had reacted to the Carrion Seal on Ishtar’s hand.

The woman looked up at the man, her lips curling into a smile. "She’s in this country."

The man grinned. "We wait no further."

They kissed one last time, quick and rough, then scrambled off the bed and began dressing.

The blonde haired woman was wore a white shirt, fitted into a short jumpsuit with a corset back stands with her back.

Facing her was the sharply dressed man in a dark coat, with a cigarette between his lips.

He pulled it up and blew the smoke, "lets go"

-

A/N:

4/12 bonus Chapters complete✅

Yesterday was for hitting 250 tickets

Today’s bonuses for 300 tickets

Once i’m done with tickets, any other is ps goal