Chapter 16: Paramour
Contains spoilersOverview
The Howlers breach Quicksilver’s suite, brutalizing a sleeping Pink who proves to be Matteo, Darrow’s former tutor and one-time Son of Ares. Despite Darrow’s misgivings, Sevro drives the team onward using a food-order lead.
They cut down security, trigger alarms, and crash a conference where Quicksilver meets with elite Golds, including Cassius and Mustang, confirming a trap and escalating the stakes.
Summary
The Howlers breach a dark, silent suite and pull a sleeping man from bed. Sevro tortures the captive for Quicksilver’s location until Darrow recognizes him as Matteo, a Pink who once tutored him for the Institute and worked with the Sons of Ares. When Matteo lunges for a datapad panic switch, Sevro knocks him unconscious, leaving Darrow shaken by the cruelty and uncertain of Matteo’s loyalties.
The team debates whether Matteo has defected or is on an old Ares assignment. Sevro fears a security compromise and pushes to act fast. Clown traces a large food order to room C19, and despite Darrow’s warning it may be a trap, Sevro orders an immediate assault.
One level down, the Howlers ambush a suited security team of Grays, killing them swiftly but not before an alarm sounds throughout the tower. With momentum carrying them forward, they breach the target room.
Inside a grand conference chamber, they find Quicksilver presiding over a meeting of Coppers and Silvers. More alarming, six Gold knights rise: the Death Knight, Moira the Fury, Cassius au Bellona, Kavax and Daxo au Telemanus, and Mustang. The reveal confirms the danger of the raid and sets the stage for a high-stakes confrontation.
Who Appears
- Darrow (Reaper)
Narrator; halts Sevro’s torture upon recognizing Matteo, struggles with moral cost, and follows the push to breach.
- Sevro au Barca
Leads the assault; tortures Matteo, knocks him out, ignores caution, and drives the team toward room C19.
- Victra au Julii
Frontline fighter; urges aggression, helps cut down security, and backs Sevro’s momentum.
- Ragnar Volarus
Smashes into rooms, subdues the sleeper, protects Matteo, and leads the charge on security.
- Matteo
Pink paramour found in Quicksilver’s bed; former tutor and Son of Ares; injured and unconscious.
- Quicksilver (Regulus ag Sun)
Richest man present at a high-level meeting when the Howlers breach his conference room.
- Cassius au Bellona
Golden knight at Quicksilver’s meeting; his presence signals a prepared opposition.
- Mustang (Virginia au Augustus)
Appears among the elite Golds in the conference, surprising Darrow and raising stakes.
- Kavax au Telemanus
Stands with the elite Golds at Quicksilver’s table during the breach.
- Daxo au Telemanus
Alongside Kavax among the assembled Golds at the meeting.
- Moira (a Fury)
Fury present with the Golds, reinforcing the meeting’s lethality.
- The Death Knight
Older Gold in black armor among the six knights confronting the Howlers.
- Clown
Finds the food-order lead on Matteo’s datapad, guiding the assault to room C19.
- Screwface
Helps secure Matteo and supports the push to breach.