Chapter 192 More Practice?
Coban’s POV
The office felt almost normal again. Almost.
Kevan and Mark sat at the long table, laptops open, fingers flying over keyboards, scanning the feeds from Clarence’s compound cameras. Darien leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, expression unreadable as usual. Lucian was perched on the edge of the desk, casually flipping through files while Trixie balanced Atlas on her hip and Cassian fidgeted in a chair nearby, glowing faintly like a tiny, impatient sun.
Caden and I had just returned from sweeping the last corridors of the palace. The last sections were empty. Either Clarence’s men were gone, hiding somewhere deeper, or more likely, they’d been rounded up already. All twelve of the men we’d captured over the last hour were now secure in the dungeon, restrained, subdued, and regretting every decision that had led them here.
I sank into my chair, letting Cassian wriggle onto my lap. His golden glow dimmed slightly as he leaned against me, satisfied. Atlas rested on Caden's shoulder, humming faintly, already scanning the room with the curiosity only a toddler with powers could have.
“Nothing left,” I said, voice low but firm. “East wing, upper floors, main hallways are all cleared. Either they are hiding, or gone.”
Kevan didn’t look up from the screens. “The cameras don’t lie. Compound’s quiet. No movement. Either Clarence’s men are hiding really well, or he’s underestimated how fast we move.”
Mark muttered, half to himself, “I’d bet on both.”
I glanced at Caden, who was already unbuckling Atlas from his shoulder. “Yeah,” he said. “We moved faster than they could blink. And let’s be honest, the boys made it way more fun for us.”
Cassian squealed in agreement, waving tiny fists at Caden as if he wanted credit. Atlas tilted his head, glowing faintly, obviously analyzing every single movement on the monitors.
Trixie smirked. “Fun is one word. Terrifying is another.” She chuckled.
I grinned. “Terrifying, yes. But also extremely efficient.” I said as I looked over at my boys.
Darien didn’t comment. His eyes remained on the monitors, scanning Clarence’s compound feeds. Kevan had pulled up multiple angles. The front gate, side entrances, the back buildings, even the stables. Every camera showed the same thing, silence. All the grounds were empty. Not a single Clarence man moving.
Lucian leaned back, tapping his chin. “I give it two hours before he realizes we’ve stripped his little army clean. Then the fun begins.”
Coban, muttering to himself, “Or, he already has a backup plan. That’s Clarence for you.”
Caden snorted. “Backup plan? That man’s idea of fun is chaos. I’d put money on him throwing something unexpected at us just to see us react.”
Cassian banged his little fists lightly against the edge of the table. A pulse of golden light shot out, flickering across the screens for a second before I gently caught him. “Easy, little guy,” I said, keeping my voice calm. “We’re not ready for fireworks yet.”
Atlas hummed faintly, golden glow brightening slightly. Trixie gave him a small nudge. “Don’t get impatient. You’ll have your chance.”
Kevan finally looked up, eyes sharp. “You two know what’s impressive? Not a single civilian in the palace was hurt. Not one.”
Mark grunted. “Takes skill. And maybe some divine luck that Clarence didn’t send more than a handful at a time.”
Darien’s voice finally broke the quiet. “Or that they weren’t prepared for actual opposition. Coordinated attacks only work if the enemy doesn’t already know where every step is coming from.”
I nodded, glancing at the boys. “Which is why these two were instrumental.” Cassian squealed proudly. Atlas glowed slightly, obviously pleased with himself.
Caden smirked. “Instrumental. Nice way to put it. I’d call it a display of pure terror and power.”
Lucian snorted. “And precision, don’t forget precision. The boys had those twelve men moving exactly where we wanted them. Not a scratch on anyone we didn’t want hurt. I’ll give them that.” He said with so much pride in the little heirs.
Kevan leaned back, watching the screens silently for a moment before speaking. “We’ll leave them in the dungeon for now. I don’t want Clarence thinking he can reclaim them easily. Every second he waits is advantage for us. Plus,it gives the boys time to practice a little more.” He said with a smile already knowing his comment would get attention. That's exactly why he said it, typical Kevan for you.
I laughed quietly. “Practice? Cassian and Atlas don’t need practice. They’re already terrifyingly good at this.” I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
Cassian squealed, raising his tiny fists. Atlas tilted his head, golden arcs of light humming faintly around him. Trixie’s smirk widened. “Yeah, they’re good. But like all good warriors, they’ll get even better.” She said with pride as she ruffled Atlas's hair.
Mark tapped his fingers on the table. “Let’s just make sure Clarence doesn’t get another chance to test them, or us. Compound’s quiet for now, but I guarantee that man won’t sit idle. He never does.”
Coban nodded. “Then we stay ahead. Cameras, patrols, and these little golden devils.” I gave Cassian a small grin. “You two keep lighting the way. Make sure Clarence knows exactly who runs this place.”
Cassian squealed, Atlas hummed, and for a brief moment, the tension in the room eased. The palace was quiet. The men were secured. And the boys well, they were as powerful, unpredictable, and gloriously chaotic as ever.
Kevan leaned back, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Lunch first. Strategy second. Everyone needs their strength. Clarence isn’t done, and neither are we.”
I grabbed a plate, Cassian still perched on my hip, Atlas happily following Caden’s movements. “Lunch sounds good. But I don’t know if I can eat while watching those compound cameras. Every second, something could happen.”
Darien smirked faintly. “Then watch carefully. But don’t spill anything on the boys. That’s the real disaster.”
I glanced at Cassian, who promptly flung a tiny fist into the air, sending a small spark that landed harmlessly on the plate, but enough to make me jump and laugh at the same time.
“Yep,” I muttered to Caden, who was chuckling quietly, “We're in for a long afternoon. And a very, very long war with Clarence.”
Caden grinned. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”