Chapter 183
Chapter 184 Traces of Blood
Rhys held out his arm to cooperate, and a reckless grin tugged at his lips when he spotted her approaching.
“Rook’s just trying to sweet–talk you into letting him out. Don’t buy it.
“No Guide’s ever wanted him anyway p>
Lyra paused.
Her expression stayed neutral, yet she nodded toward the detector, her gaze filled with quiet curiosity.
Rhys smiled, eyes crinkling. “Thanks to you, I’m doing much better. The numbers should be low now, right p>
He craned his neck, eager to see exactly where his contamination level stood.
Lyra leaned forward too, trying to read the device clutched by one of the guards.
The nearest guard stiffened.
After a split second’s hesitation, he shifted aside to give her a clearer view.
But they’d overestimated how well Lyra understood the equipment.
Numbers flickered wildly across the screen, and she could not tell which value tracked a Sentinel’s contamination.
She pointed at one reading and shot the guard a wordless work inquiry.
It was the first time the shy guard had stood so close to a Guide. He stumbled over his words. “Y–you have to check the backend for that p>
Lyra frowned in confusion.
Another guard stepped in to explain, “The raw data needs processing and calibration. Once uploaded, Mr. Vale can pull the full results p>
She nodded in understanding.
She sent her thanks via Star Brain.
Learning they could not get immediate readings, Rhys dropped his gaze and let go of his curiosity.
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Chapter 184 Traces of Blood
A new thought crossed his mind right away.
“Hey, what if all our levels clear up? Why not take us all on as your personal guards p>
Rhys propped his head on one hand, speaking half–jokingly.
Every Sentinel nearby fell silent. Even the occupied guards stole glances their way.
Lyra froze.
Then her eyes widened, bright with quiet excitement.
That sounds perfect!
Before she could respond, Zev’s stern voice cut through the air. “No attempting to coax a Guide p>
Lyra turned toward him.
Coax?
Rhys shot Zev an irritable look. “What’s it to you? Quit putting words in my mouth p>
Zev stood rigid a short distance from her, his tone firm and unyielding.
“A Guide alone chooses whether to take personal guards. No one may pressure, bribe, or manipulate them to make that decision p>
Lyra stared at him in surprise.
From what he said, it sounded like only a Guide could take the initiative to request that a Sentinel become her personal guard.
Sentinels held no power to demand it.
But what if a Sentinel refused?
…Ah. Sentinels never refused such an offer.
Lyra would be thrilled to have familiar Sentinels from the Black Spire at her side.
What’s more, she still hadn’t learned how to perform intimacy guidance.
This could at least serve as a perfect excuse to get them released from their cells.
With that thought, she hurried to the door of Cell 120.
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Fished
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Chapter 184 Traces of Blood
Fighting still raged inside.
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med
Rook continued shouting insults, yet without his hyena backing him, he took blow after blow with almost no chance to retaliate.
After all, both Hadrien and Felix resented his disrespect toward Lyra.
What began as a three–way brawl quickly devolved into two men beating him down.
Knock, knock.
At the sound, all three inside snapped their heads toward the doorway.
Lyra’s message played through the Star Brain right after.
“Hadrien, come out. I need to check everyone’s contamination levels p>
He would obey a command from her without question.
Hadrien pulled back his fist, threw a cold glance at bloodied Rook on the floor, and stepped
outside.
Rook scrambled to rise immediately.
Felix appeared in front of him, a wicked smirk playing across his face.
Rook’s gaze sharpened. He swallowed the metallic tang of blood rising in his throat and lunged straight for Felix.
When Hadrien stepped outside, Lyra scanned him from head to toe first.
Then her eyes drifted toward the noise spilling out of the cell behind him.
Hadrien closed the door gently, blocking her view of the brutal scene within.
He approached her with clean hands, voice soft. “Who do you want readings for p>
He already grasped Lyra’s plan; their thoughts aligned.
He turned to lead her further down the corridor.
Lyra stayed rooted where she stood.
Hadrien instantly recognized the conflicted look on her face.
“Don’t worry. I only gave him a light lesson p>
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Chapter 184 Traces of Blood
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Lyra met his gaze, her lower lip caught gently between her teeth.
She might have believed that a moment ago, but not now.
She stood on tiptoes and stretched her hand toward him.
Hadrien’s breath hitched. He remained perfectly still.
Her fingertip brushed lightly against his helmet. She held her hand up in front of her own eyes.
A single speck of fresh blood stained her pale skin.
Hadrien fell quiet for a beat.
He spoke casually, as if nothing was amiss. “He frightened you p>
Lyra stared at him, disagreeing plainly.
Rook’s volatile temper was nothing new.
A few punches to teach him a lesson would have sufficed.
Judging by that blood fleck, it looked as though he’d been struck hard enough to cough up blood.
She frowned and shook her head.
Hadrien watched her for a long moment before nodding humbly.
“I understand. I’ll be more careful next time p>
He still missed her point. Lyra gestured toward Cell 120, where the sounds of fighting continued.
Hadrien looked toward Zev, standing a short distance away.
“Mr. Korth, could you handle this?
“The Guide dislikes seeing Sentinels fight p>
As he spoke, he took Lyra’s hand and brushed the bloodstain gently off her fingertip.
Then he led her away toward the other cells.
Lyra glanced back.
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Chapter 184 Traces of Blood
Zev offered a short nod and marched straight for Cell 120.
Her hand remained enclosed in Hadrien’s grasp, and she curled her fingers slightly.
Hadrien glanced over his shoulder.
Lyra stared at him, confused.
Fuated
Why send Zev in all of a sudden?
And why would Zev obey him?
“Because that falls under the oversight team’s official duties,” Hadrien explained.
On Core Prime, when Sentinels erupted into conflict, oversight teams relied on force to suppress them.
It was the only reliable way to calm hotheaded combatants before violence escalated further.
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.