Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 224: Ignis

In the dead of the night, stood a certain warehouse which had once been a place of honest work, but now, was nothing more than a den of sin.

Some of the fense around it had fallen while rusted, slightly ajar gate barred the entrance with a battered "Keep Off" sign hung there. The main gate’s lock consisted only of a chain looped through holes, that anyone with half a brain could undo. But that was the point because only fools or dead men tried to trespass.

This was Red Dragon territory.

Two monstrous dogs with foaming maws and gleaming teeth prowled the perimeter, their low growls meant to ward off any wanderer.

Inside, naked fluorescent tubes buzzed overhead, illuminating the sorry sight of men, women, and even children stripped down to their underwear, bagging and packing precious white powder into sealed pouches.

A handful of tough-looking enforcers patrolled with weapons in hand, ensuring no one stole so much as a pinch of their merchandise.

But the real business took place in a separate room, its door guarded by two mean-eyed thugs. Samuel sat at the head of a long metal table, his fingers idly tapping against the surface. He was the underboss of Red Dragon. Second only to their Don, Titan.

On the opposite side of the table sat their guest, Umal, a brown-skinned man with neatly trimmed beards, and ruffled brown hair that somehow made him look more dangerous than unkempt.

Two of Samuel’s armed men stood on either side of him, rifles in hand. But Umal wasn’t intimidated. His own two guards flanked him just as confidently, each armed to the teeth.

Samuel rapped a knuckle on the table. "Where is it?"

Umal signaled one of his cronies, who stepped up carrying a brushed-steel briefcase. He set it down gently. When Umal flicked the latches, it opened to

rows of small, delicate bottles, each filled with a milky-white liquid, nestled neatly into their cushioned compartments.

Umal lifted one between his fingers, rolling it in the light before finally speaking.

tongue with satisfaction. "Because once it’s in the bloodstream, it burns explosively,

upper gang members seated at the sides of the

honeyed with greed. "Just one taste, and the victim

dark and knowing. "For five minutes, they will feel limitless. Strength beyond human means. Speed

the bottle

from that high?" His smile widened, cruel and serpentine. "The withdrawal is five times worse. That’s what

back, self-assured. "I see a promising

in the

ranking members seated around the table. Their gazes met

Samuel spoke. "And how do we know your claims

eyes glimmered with anticipation. "I thought

one stepped forward, grabbed a bottle, and extracted its contents with

a salesman closing a devilish deal. "We’ll need... an experiment.

inside. The man was no other than their tester and his eyes lit up feverishly at the

me!" he begged, already reaching desperately

tester’s scrawny arm. Everyone watched intently. At first, nothing. Then the man groaned, dropping to his knees as though in agony, clutching his

groan twisted into a maniacal laughter. His head snapped up, and his

good," he whispered, almost reverently. "It’s so good. I’ve never felt

stood before the tester, "How do you feel?" he

tester stared at his own hands, eyes wide with awe. "Powerful. Like I

we’re on a time limit. So let’s test it out in a rather... productive

"What do

there’s someone at this table you’ve