Alistair Blackwood's hand slowly curled into a fist on the mahogany table. The wine glass beside it began to vibrate with an unseen force.
"How old is this Ethan Hayes?" he asked, his voice deceptively calm.
Liam shifted nervously. "Master, based on our intelligence, he appears to be in his early twenties. Perhaps twenty-two or twenty-three at most."
The wine glass shattered without warning. Red liquid splattered across the expensive tablecloth as Alistair's killing intent filled the room.
"Twenty-three years old," Alistair repeated slowly. "A mere child broke my curse. A boy defeated trained guards. A youth made jade stones disappear."
Jasper leaned back in his chair, sensing the dangerous shift in atmosphere. "Master, is his age significant?"
"Significant?" Alistair laughed coldly. "At his age, I was still learning basic spells from my master. This Hayes either possesses incredible natural talent or has been trained by someone extraordinary."
