The Second No

"Unrivaled. Got a minute?"

Something about the voice tugged at his memory before he'd even turned around.

He did, and found himself facing a striking woman in fitted crimson armor deep red hair, sharp red eyes, every line of her gear cut for both function and effect.

A longsword rested easy at her hip, the kind of weapon that only looked comfortable in the hands of someone who'd actually bled for the skill to use it.

Above her head, four letters resolved into a name.

EvertideHerald.

Alexis Kane. In his last life, her blade had been the only one on the server that gave his own real trouble. Kael kept his expression flat, gave nothing away.

"What do you need?"

"Straight to the point. I like that." Alexis didn't waste any time either. "I'm here to offer you a place at Evertide Studios."