It took some convincing, but Viola gave in and contacted her superiors, who, despite her predictions on how the call would go, allowed Luke to see the would-be kidnapper. Back in the elevator, heading even deeper underground than The Gauntlet, Viola cleared her throat.

  "We have arranged an apartment here at headquarters for you, too. It is furnished with all the necessities."

  "I'll think about it."

  She turned to face him, looking severe. "It is for your own protection."

  "I said I'll think about it," Luke said, glaring back.

  While safety was important, it seemed improbable that anyone would be able to kidnap him. Breaking in and attacking him, sure, but they wanted him alive to use as some sort of heal-bot, not unlike what the FBI suggested. That meant keeping him alive, and as long as he was conscious, few things would be able to keep him if Luke wanted to go. If someone wanted him dead, that was another topic, though.

  He wasn't invulnerable. Unlike Relian, being shot in the head would kill Luke. Wouldn't it? Taking Viola up on her offer of an apartment might not be such a bad idea, but something he should look into was how The Fallen Shepherd survived that first attack. If he could do it, Luke should be able to.

  So much to do, to discover, and to train. Luke felt scattered, like his focus wasn't holding up after exterminating Relian. The first thing he thought about when hearing about that other Lifeweaver getting kidnapped was that he should go and save him or her, but that wasn't his job. He couldn't do everything. The world did not rest on his shoulders, and Luke was no hero.

  The focus had to be on getting stronger. That meant leveling up, getting more reach out of Threads of Mana, training his profession, and maximizing Boon of Potential. Wanting to heal people was still a strong motivation for him. That was undeniable, but equally undeniable was how that wasn't enough anymore. It'd taken some time for Luke to come to that truth and admit it to even himself. Healing wasn't enough. He also wanted to become stronger for its own sake, to see how far the Lifeweaver class could carry him, and to learn more about the system and beyond. Fighting alone or with a team made him feel alive. Patching someone up, saving their life while battle raged around them. Even thinking about it sent a rush of exhilaration through Luke, and he couldn't help but shudder.

  "Luke?"

  He blinked and pulled himself out of his own head and deep thinking.

  "Sorry, what?" he asked.

  Viola gestured to the open elevator doors. "We're here."

  "Oh, right." Luke stepped out and followed her directions down a number of identical hallways. As he walked, he felt another portal about to open up, and he made a mental note to get to both if possible. If he wanted to grow stronger, there was no better place for it. That's where he'd learn more about the system, too. Not in some class. Learning by doing.

  "In here," Viola said, stopping by a heavy metal door. She keyed in a pin and a light turned green.

  Once the door opened, Luke shook his head in bewilderment. Several cells lined the now much wider corridor beyond, six on either side. By the look of it, more corridors branched out from the first one. Several more sections barred their entry, with Viola scanning her thumbprint on the first, then her eye by the second. A guard let them through a third, which led down a set of stairs to yet another floor.

  Most cells were empty, but not all of them. The cell doors had little windows through which he saw prisoners in dark gray jumpsuits. Darius, still in the clothes he'd worn when Luke last saw him, less than an hour earlier, sat inside a cell.

  Luke shook his head and stopped. "What is this place? I mean, I can tell what it is, but you're operating your own prison?"

  Viola stopped too, turned back, came to his side, and got up on her toes to peer through the little window. "This is not a prison. It is a teaching tool."

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  "And what are you teaching Darius?"

  "That he acted out of turn today. I'm sure you would agree poison has no use in a friendly spar."

  "Still," Luke said, turning away from the window. "I don't like this."

  "It's in your contract, Luke. And mine. You read it, didn't you?"

  He cleared his throat. "Of course."

  "He won't be in here long," Viola said, her voice softening. "Don't worry."

  They resumed their walk, and Viola spoke up without looking at him. "I'm sure I don't have to tell you this, but you cannot speak of this place to anyone. I'm not sure why you were allowed in here at all, but I don't question orders."

  "Maybe you should."

  "You know what I mean," Viola said, a hint of annoyance in her voice. "They could've brought the apprehended individual somewhere else. You coming here means they want you to see this. Wanted you to see Darius."

  "The shadow cabal."

  "It's just people, Luke. A long line of middle managers, experts, and shareholders."

  "That's somehow worse."

  They walked along, with Viola speeding up, shaking her head, and muttering about higher-ups. Luke couldn't help but look into the different cells. Most were empty, but not all. Soon, he recognized another prisoner.

  "Mia?"

  She sat there on a bunk, staring at the wall, her lips parted and moving, like she was speaking.

  "We really should get going, Luke," Viola said.

  He pointed through the window. "I know her."

  "I don't," Viola said, shaking her head. "Let's keep going."

  "Hold on." He watched as she turned her head to the ceiling, moved her hand off the bunk, and pointed. The flesh on her arm undulated and turned into a tentacle that slammed into the wall. Mia let out a wail that reached through the soundproofed door as she struggled to regain control of her limb. Luke was about to force his way in there when Mia's arm returned to normal, and she leaned back against the wall, her eyes closing.

  "Did she just fall asleep?" he asked.

  "Luke," Viola said. "I'm a low-level lieutenant. The only reason I knew about Darius is because he is one of my people, just like you and the others. This place is off limits to almost everyone, but I can tell you this: those who are in here either sought the guild out for help or are here for breaking some rule or another. I'm guessing your friend is of the first variety."

  "Maybe," he allowed, unable to take his eyes off her slumped, sleeping form. "I don't like this."

  "You said that. Get over it. That’s my advice."

  He allowed her to pull him away. After that, he didn't look through any more doors. This was something he'd have to speak with Alan about. It wasn't right. A guild shouldn't operate its own private prison. No matter what Viola said, this was not some health center for Integrated in need of aid.

  "Through here," she said, gesturing to another door.

  Two guards stood facing away from it. Both of them carried automatic weapons. Luke wasn't a gun guy, but he thought he recognized the model from playing Counter-Strike when he was younger. UMP-45. They unlocked the door when Viola approached, and the two of them entered a square room with bare walls except for a large mirror to the right, a table bolted to the floor in the middle, and a couple of chairs. In one, Luke saw a familiar face.

  "Boxing guy!"

  "Ese!"

  "You know him?" Viola asked, more than a little surprised.

  Luke shrugged. "Healed him."

  "This man here knows his way around a bum elbow! Or, well, his girl does."

  Luis, that was his name, if Luke recalled right, stood and made as if to shake Luke's hand, but handcuffs kept him from extending too far, so he shrugged and sat back down.

  Luke nodded to the mirror. "Anyone listening in?"

  "Safe to assume so, yes," Viola said.

  "Figures," Luke said as he sat down and looked across the table. "So, Luis, you tried breaking into my apartment."

  "Honest mistake, ese!"

  Luke just sat there, staring at him.

  "Fine, yeah," Luis said, raising his hands, so the chains clanked. "You got me."

  For a brief moment, Luke wondered what Smudge would've done if someone had entered the apartment uninvited. Either eat the intruder or just sit there, he decided as he turned his attention back on Luis. "Why?"

  "Who're these people?" Luis asked, looking up at Viola. "They gots guns, big ones. Put something over my head and dragged me out here, wherever this is. They're no cops, I'll tell you that much!"

  "Sounds terrible," Luke said, his voice monotone. "Who would do such a thing?"

  Luis caught on and sighed. "Fine. I was going to persuade you to join my organization."

  "Your gang?"

  "This isn't the early 2000s."

  "You could've just asked."

  Luis shrugged. "Would you have said yes?"

  "No."

  "Well, see. My main man don't like to hear no."

  "Kidnapping," Viola said. "Told you so."

  "Is there someone specific who needs healing?" Luke asked.

  Viola's phone buzzed, and she looked at the screen, then turned to Luis. "What is your organization called?"

  Luis waved a dismissive hand in her direction. "I'm not talking to you."

  "Answer our questions," Luke said.

  "Or what, healer?" Luis's smile dropped, and he jerked forward in his chair, as if rising to attack.

  Luke sighed and stood, a weariness coming over him. "Or I'll not just make sure you don't box again, I'll make it so you won't ever move your arms and legs."

  Luis's eyes widened.

  "Do you think that's something I could do?" Luke asked.

  "Yes?" Luis said, his voice a little more subdued now, like he was being scolded by his mother.

  Luke leaned forward and held out his hand, a thread of mana emerging from his palm. "Do you think that's something I would do?"