Red used his shovel to cut off the reaching fingers in one clean sweep. He used his free hand to move the splash of blood away from the fake sleeping bundle.

Red, unable to relocate his daughter from the palace, devised a plan to keep her safe. He created a decoy, a tiny bundle of blankets that could pass for a newborn. Concealed within was Acuzio; the dragon had grown in size and now served as the perfect body double.

Red, his thoughts consumed by the safety of his budding family, made sure Merin and Alev were kept at a distance from the looming danger. Merin, eager to contribute, was held back by Red's understanding of her potential to become a liability, a threat to everyone, not just their adversaries. She needed to gain control over her new limits before she engaged in battle. Both of them had changed, but he was better at adapting than she was.

Red blinked as his body tried to adjust to its new limits. Something happened to Merin when she gave birth, and through their bond, Red was changed as well.

He felt stronger and stranger than ever.

Red's ability to sense blood and see it pulse through the body remained the same for the most part. What changed was his newfound ability to circumvent the barrier that flesh once created. Red no longer needed a cut or opening to control the blood in another person.

Every night since the birth of Alev, Red tested his limits in new ways with each assassin.

Red closed his eyes as he set down his shovel. He could feel his heart pound as his excitement battled for control over his actions.

A handful of fresh attackers came into the room. With his eyes closed, Red could sense each of them and how far they were from him. He lifted his hand up in a move similar to what Red had seen Merin do. The warm bodies followed his gesture and floated into the air. They made noises, but Red couldn't hear them over the rhythmic beats of their hearts.

It was music to the man's ears.

The sound grew louder until it drowned out any other noise. Red could still hear their beats in his own blood long after he ripped out the lifeblood from the other men.

"Get some rest. The sun is rising," Merin said. She pushed Red down into their bed in a move that was becoming too familiar to Red.

They took turns in watching Alev and performing duties. Red stayed up most of the night, while Merin was vigilant during the daytime. When they broke their fast and or ate dinner, it was often the only meal they shared.

The occasional naps they took together were nice, but they rarely happened.

Red had a lot to take care of to kill Emir.

"You need to sleep as well," Red said.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Merin's skin showed signs of restless nights, bringing a flicker of guilt to Red. Alev was a quiet baby who seemed content with either of her parents. Thanks to the blood of the Inni running through her veins being held by those who carried her blood soothed the baby. She rarely cried and was permanently attached to Red or Merin. Alev was currently strapped to Merin in a baby wrap and was sound asleep.

That meant Merin's exhaustion was on him for being unable to get them away from the palace. Something warm flooded their bond, and Red blinked as he was hit with Merin's emotions. It was as if she could read his mind because all he felt through this connection was concern for him and her own guilt.

"I will later, you first. All your sneaky allies need the day to finish things, so get some sleep." Merin said.

Red reached over to clasp her hand, and through that simple touch, he was strengthened by the two heartbeats that made anywhere a home.

Red woke up refreshed and by the dying light of the sun. Dusk was settling in, and Merin was coming to get him for dinner.

Red noted the little shadow that trailed after Merin, but he only greeted his Russus before leaving to refresh himself.

When he was done, dinner was spread out, and he saw Merin had waited. Merin dismissed every servant as she often did, and it was just the two of them.

Well, soon, the three of them because Reu joined them. It hadn't been that long since Red saw his father figure, but breathing the same air as him was strange.

Red's insight of blood was more potent now because he could more easily penetrate through the flesh and muscle of anyone. Which is why seeing his father figure for the first time worried Red.

Reu's blood was twisted, and the veins bulged when they should be smooth.

Reu's welcoming smile froze as he took in Red's expression. He didn't know what was displayed, and Red tried to cough as he stood up to hug the other man.

Red had never used blood to heal. He's only ever used it to sense and destroy others. Could it be possible for him to find a way to cure Reu? Red held the other man in a tight hug as he closed his eyes and focused on the blood.

To clear dangerously clogged veins required precision and delicacy. Red wasn't sure he could weld such cautious mastery. He had to try. Red could feel Reu's pulsing heart working double time around the messed up viens.

He ignored Reu's question as the other man noticed the extended length of the hug. Red slowly eased the blood through the veins, and he felt Reu stiffen in his arms.

Late Red would note that the other man didn't fight him even though Red held his life in his arms. He could marvel later that there was such implicit trust.

Red loosened the gunk that filled his mentor's veins, working it through the man until it was cleared.

Reu gave him another tight hug when he stepped back and said, "I haven't felt this young in years. All of my fatigue just went away."

Red said nothing as he listened to the calm, steady, beating heart of the only man he cared for. This increase in power came at the right time to save Reu's life.

Once again, Merin was his good luck charm, which only made it easier to obtain his goals and keep what was his.

Red left with Reu after dinner. Due to his seed father's unknown boundaries, they didn't go past the courtyard.

Men in cloaks greeted them, and the air was a touch awkward, considering why they had gathered.

This group of malcontents were lower-ranked nobles who helped Red bring down Ceren. Now, Red needed them to help him rebuild the harbor city so that his daughter could anchor there one day if required.

Reu was his translator to the group because he couldn't understand them as far as they knew. Their orders were pretty straightforward, and considering that the malcontents could grow in power under Red's influence, they were eager to start.

"There's one more thing I need you to do," Reu said after adjourning the meeting.

Red took that as his cue to leave. What Reu was about to say next had nothing to do with him, nor could it ever. The last major hurdle for these young noble lords was to kill Rutilus Emir.

Red had no part in that, and it would stay that way to keep his hands clean.