The sound of water splashing around wasn’t some babbling brook—it was an indoor pool, working overtime to look fancy. Blue lights glowed from the bottom, turning the place into a dream straight out of a luxury magazine. Giant floor-to-ceiling windows curved around most of the room, and everywhere you looked there were plush chairs and shiny knickknacks, like someone robbed a palace just to decorate.
Sweet music filled every corner, pumped out by speakers so high-tech you’d swear you were front row at a concert. Under the mood lighting, plaster statues stood around like VIPs at a weird art party.
There were naked goddess statues, all curves and motherly vibes, looking like they’d won the genetic lottery. Next to them, armored warriors flexed muscles that could bench-press a car, spears ready with enough menace to scare a tank. Beauty and brawn, nurture and carnage—the Greeks would’ve loved this place.
Splash! Someone stepped out of the pool, and who else could it be but Patrick Zade himself.
Patrick Zade strolled out, buck naked, water dripping off him like he was auditioning for a shampoo commercial. He left soggy footprints all over the fancy carpet and didn’t bother to dry off. Marching to the middle of the room, he waved his arm like a conductor, and—presto—the music changed.
"Mmm." He looked lost in the music, and suddenly started dancing—somewhere between opera diva and modern ballet superstar. Muscles stretching, gliding between statues, he was basically a Greek sculpture come to life, minus the toga.
But when the song ended, Patrick Zade snapped open his eyes. And yeah, those eyes were burning with rage and murder, like a dragon ready to roast the world. Chills, anyone?
Whoosh—the big screen at the end of the hall kept replaying scenes from the HEA-VEN supercruiser, starring none other than Jonathan Black.
Watching Jonathan Black tear it up on the battlefield, Patrick Zade clenched his fists and let out a roar that probably rattled the windows.
"Aaargh!" He spun around and punched the sofa so hard it went airborne.