"We stand with you. Completely. Unquestioningly. Until death."

Viktor's smile turned warm despite the intensity of the moment.

Alex stood, feeling the weight of their commitment settle over him like a mantle.

And then, at the edge of his vision, translucent text flickered into existence:

[DOMINION SYSTEM - LOYALTY UPDATE]

The notification pulsed softly, visible only to him.

[VIKTOR REEVES]

Loyalty: 97% → 99%↑

Status: Absolute Devotion Achieved

[DAMIEN CROSS]

Loyalty: 95% → 98% ↑

Status: Unshakeable Commitment

[DIMITRI VOLKOV]

Loyalty: 97% → 99% ↑

Status: Absolute Devotion Achieved

[ANDRE PETROV]

Loyalty: 94% → 98% ↑

Status: Unshakeable Commitment

[PAVEL SOKOLOV]

Loyalty: 99% → 99% ↑

Status: Absolute Devotion (Maximum)

[COLLECTIVE ASSESSMENT: ELITE STRIKE FORCE - COMPLETELY LOYAL]

[RECOMMENDATION: ASSET SECURED - SUITABLE FOR HIGHEST-RISK OPERATIONS]

***

The display faded as quickly as it had appeared.

Alex let his gaze sweep across them one more time, and pride solidified in his chest... sharp, undeniable, and heavy with responsibility.

'I have an Apex practitioner and four Enhanced operatives who would follow me into hell without question.'

The realization hit with a weight that was almost overwhelming.

These men had given him everything... their trust, their loyalty, their lives without hesitation.

'And I'll make damn sure they never regret it,' Alex thought, conviction settling in like steel.

'Because for the first time… I have something worth protecting.'

He extended his hand toward Viktor.

"To partnership," Alex said, his Enhanced voice carrying certainty. "And to proving that loyalty built on respect is stronger than any magic or compulsion."

Viktor took his hand, Apex strength controlled perfectly, and his smile carried warmth that transcended the power differential between them.

"To partnership," Viktor agreed. "And to the future we'll build together."

Their hands clasped, and in that moment... surrounded by men who'd chosen him, protected by loyalty that couldn't be bought or forced... Alex understood with absolute clarity:

This was just the beginning.

The handshake held for a beat longer than necessary... a moment of understanding passing between them that needed no words.

Then Alex released Viktor's hand and his expression shifted, becoming more focused. More tactical.

"Since you're all ready," Alex said, his tone taking on the quality of command that was still new to him but felt increasingly natural, "let me inform you about your first mission."

The room's atmosphere changed immediately.

Viktor straightened, and in an instant the entire team shifted with him... posture sharpening, focus locking in, the room transitioning from relaxed conversation to quiet readiness without a single word spoken.

They were warriors again. His warriors.

"I'm going to meet Catherine Blackwood," Alex said, and he caught the slight reactions...

Viktor's eyes sharpening with recognition, Damien's expression becoming more cautious, Andre's analytical gaze intensifying.

Alex continued before anyone could speak.

"I'll give you exact details about when once everything is confirmed. But I want preparation to begin immediately."

His voice took on the edge of someone who'd thought this through, someone who understood the stakes.

"I need every detail by tomorrow. Everything."

He looked directly at Andre, recognizing the intelligence specialist's role.

"Her estate. Full layout... entrances, exits, security systems, blind spots. The Enhanced practitioners present there and their exact realm levels. Family members who might be in attendance. Staff composition. Response times if situations escalate. Escape routes. Everything that matters if things go wrong."

Andre nodded once, his mind clearly already organizing the research required, prioritizing information sources.

Alex's gaze swept across all of them.

"And I want you all to be present there." His tone made it clear this wasn't a request. "Positioned, ready, capable of intervening if the situation requires it."

He focused specifically on Viktor, and his next words carried particular weight.

"Viktor, you reveal yourself only when absolutely necessary. Only if the situation becomes dangerous enough that your Apex presence is required to ensure my safety or extract me from threat I can't handle alone."

Viktor's expression showed understanding... recognition that his power was the final card, not the opening play.

"In most cases," Alex continued, his tactical thinking evident in how he structured the operation, "Damien or the others will handle any intervention needed. Standard Enhanced-level response. Nothing that draws unnecessary attention to capabilities we don't need to reveal yet."

Damien nodded, already processing contingencies, backup plans, intervention protocols.

"I can handle most situations myself," Alex said, and there was confidence in his voice but also calculation. "I'm Enhanced Realm now. I have capabilities that can deal with standard threats. But..."

He paused, making sure they understood his reasoning.

"I'd rather not reveal anything about my actual abilities unless absolutely necessary."

Viktor's smile held approval... recognition of tactical thinking, of understanding when to show strength and when to conceal it.

"Mystery has value," Viktor said quietly, his Russian accent carrying weight. "If Catherine Blackwood sees you as interesting but not fully understood, she'll be more intrigued than if you display all your cards immediately."

"Exactly," Alex confirmed. "So you're there as insurance. As the force that ensures nothing goes catastrophically wrong. But ideally, Catherine never knows you exist until I decide it's time for her to know."

He looked at each of them in turn.

"This is a high-value target. Catherine is positioned to potentially lead House Blackwood. Getting her attention, earning her respect, establishing a genuine connection..."

Alex's voice took on intensity, "...that's worth more than most operations you conducted for Blackthorne. But it's also delicate. Dangerous if handled poorly."

Each man nodded as Alex assigned their roles, professional competence evident in how they received instructions.

"This isn't just about protecting me," Alex said, his voice carrying the weight of what this represented.

"This is about demonstrating that we can operate at the highest levels of Sacred House politics. That we can plan and execute missions that actually matter rather than just surviving. That what we're building together is worth the loyalty you've given me."

Viktor stood, and the others rose with him... ready, committed, understanding the significance of this first operation under Alex's command.

"We'll be ready," Viktor said simply, and absolute certainty resonated in those three words. "Catherine Blackwood will never know we're there unless you need us. And if you need us..." his smile turned sharp, predatory, "...she'll understand very quickly that you're not someone to underestimate."

Alex felt satisfaction settle in his chest, mixed with anticipation.

"Then we understand each other," Alex said. "Tomorrow morning. Full briefing. After that, we move when I give the word."

He looked at all of them one more time... his team, his strike force, his foundation... and something fierce and certain settled in his chest.

"Let's show the Blackwoods what happens when someone approaches them with actual power rather than just ambition."

Viktor's smile widened.

"It will be our pleasure."

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