The Last Soul Spike

Lyra's eyes skimmed across the listings from Macraite's biggest auction house until one item stopped her cold—a level-nine strength-enhancing plant up for grabs.

This kind of high-powered item was usually tucked away in secret auctions, hidden from prying eyes. But here it was, posted publicly, just begging for anyone with deep enough pockets or enough clout to come after it.

It felt like an open dare, tantalizing bait meant to snag only the most daring—or desperate—of buyers.

Moments later, Morrison's hologram materialized in front of Lyra, his expression already serious. He'd seen the listing too. "Our intel suggests the Shedd family has their hands all over this auction house. Word is, Ansel himself put that plant up for sale."

The setup couldn't be clearer if they'd hung a flashing sign on it: this was a trap aimed right at Lyra. The Shedds knew her well enough to understand that no one wanted a level-nine strength-enhancer as badly as she did.