Jace clenched his fists, his heart beating fast as lightning, his mind in turmoil.
He wasn't sure of his opponent's identity, but the deafening sound of a motorcycle and the glint of a cold blade signaled that this was no ordinary chase.
"You can't get away, kid." The lead dark figure snapped, his voice low and his tone as tight as a bowstring drawn to the touch.
He raised his blade high, the tip of it a mere two feet from Jace's face, snowflakes landing on the edge in a flash.
Jace took a step back, his back pressed against the wall, the cold bricks sending a tingle down his spine.
He tried to call for help, but his throat was as dry as sandpaper and he couldn't make any sound.
The other dark figure sneered and quietly circled to the side, like wolves circling their prey.
Just as the tip of the knife was about to touch, a low growl came from the other end of the alley, resembling a wild beast and a human.
In the midst of the snow and wind, a tall figure slowly stepped out from the shadows, his long trench coat fluttering in the wind, his black hair hiding half of his unusually handsome face, revealing eyes with a determined and unquestionable light.
Jace gasped, his mind going blank.
Who was that mysterious man? Had it come to save him or hurt him? He couldn't make it out, but the aura emanating from the figure made the air around him seem to freeze for a few moments.
The two dark figures stopped moving and turned to face this newly appeared person.
The leader warned in a cold voice, "Get lost, this is none of your business."
However, the man did not move, he just stood there quietly, black leather boots vaguely visible under his trench coat, the soles of his boots crushing the ice and emitting an ear-piercing crunching sound.
He spoke in a low voice, his voice like cold wind through steel, "He's mine."
Jace froze, feeling a heaviness in his heart. Was this a jump from one predicament to another?
He clenched his teeth and tried to take advantage of the chaos to escape, but his legs were weak as if filled with lead.
Right at this critical juncture, the figure of the man moved, his speed as swift as a shadow, his trench coat lifting a black arc, his movements as smooth as an elegant killing machine.
He rushed towards the leading black shadow, waved his hand, and struck, a dark light cut through the air like a blade cutting through the wind and snow.
The leading black shadow let out a miserable scream, the short knife in his hand fell, making a crisp clanking sound, and the whole person fell into the trash can, the sound of iron crashing echoed.
The other black shadow reacted and swung his knife at the man, but the man sidestepped grabbed the black shadow's wrist, and twisted it with force.
The crisp rattle of cracking bone mingled with the sound of wind, and the dark shadow fell to his knees in agony, the knife slipping from his hand and falling to the ice.
The man stepped on the knife with one foot and stared at him with a cold gaze, "Choose to leave, or die."
Terrified to death, the dark figure stumbled to his feet and disappeared into the snow and wind as if fleeing for his life.
Jace clung to the wall, witnessing the killing, his face as pale as paper, his breathing rapid as if he had just sprinted ten miles.
His eyes wandered over the man, seeing his stocky frame looming under his long trench coat, his black hair disheveled by the wind, revealing a pale face with handsome features that looked as if they were the work of an artist.
Those eyes turned to him, a flicker of warmth flickering in their icy gaze, but it was quickly hidden again.
"Who are you?" Jace barely managed to squeeze out the words, his voice trembling like a runaway piano string.
He tried to run away, but his legs felt as if they were stuck with glue.
The man approached him slowly, his boots crushing the ice, and stopped in front of him, looking down at him as if scrutinizing something.
"Lucien Storm," the man spoke, his voice firm, as if restrained, "you shouldn't be displaying your powers."
He paused briefly, his eyes becoming deeper, "They're already on to you."
Jace's thoughts suddenly became confused, abilities? What abilities?
He wanted to retort, but Brad's car accident and the foresight of the L-car kept flashing through his mind, could it be because of that?
His breathing became rapid and he glared at Lucien, "What are you talking about? I didn't do anything!"
Jace denied it vigorously, he didn't want trouble to come his way.
Lucien sneered, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly as if to mock his naivety, "You think that was a coincidence? Pulling down the brake lever and saving a carload of people?"
He took a step forward, the faint smell of tobacco and cologne emanating from beneath his trench coat, "You have the power of foresight, boy, and that is the mark of a god or a demon."
"Gods and demons?" Jace froze completely, his mind going blank.
It sounded like crazy talk, but the blue pupils and the whisper in his ear made it impossible for him to deny it.
He clenched his teeth and said in a stubborn tone, "I don't believe you, who the hell are you?"
Lucien didn't answer, he just stared at him, his eyes as emotionless as if he were scrutinizing his prey.
The wind and snow made the alley even colder, and in the distance came the sound of sirens, as if they were the aftermath of Brad's car accident.
Lucien turned to look at the entrance of the alley, "There's no time for nonsense, come with me or they'll come back and you're dead."
Jace took a step back, his mind racing, this man had saved him, but the cold tone and mysterious stance made it hard to trust him.
He tried to run away, but the roar of a motorcycle came from the other end of the alley - the two dark figures hadn't gone far.
Jace raised his voice and clenched his fists, "Why should I trust you?"
Lucien's hair fluttered in the wind, his eyes even colder, "Because I know what you are better than they do."
He paused for a moment and said in a tone that brooked no doubt, "There is no escaping the bloodline of the Water God."
Jace nearly collapsed, his head aching. The Water God? What was he talking about again?
He was about to ask a follow-up question, but Lucien had already turned around and shrugged up his trench coat like a black rider weaving through the streets of Chicago.
The roar of the motorcycle grew closer, and Jace gritted his teeth and followed, staggering at a pace that sputtered on broken ice.
He didn't know what he was doing, but his instincts told him that if he didn't follow, he wouldn't have a chance to pursue it further.
They sprinted out of the alley and into the abandoned basketball court in the South End, the barbed wire fence had a few holes in it, the basketball hoop was askew, and snow covered the floor.
Lucien stopped and turned to face Jace, emotionless eyes sweeping behind him.
Jace glanced back as two dark figures sprinted out of the mouth of the alley, motorcycle tires crushing the ice, taillights trailing red light.
"Shit." Jace's legs went weak and he took a few steps back in fear.
Lucien remained calm as he waved his hand, and dark light flashed through the air as if the shadows had condensed into blades.
He ran straight at the black shadows, moving as fast as the wind, his trench coat lifting a black arc.
The leading black shadow swung his knife, Lucien dodged sideways, the dark light cut through, and the black shadow fell to the ground with a muffled sound, blood stained the snow.
Another black shadow jumped off the motorcycle and pounced on Jace, Jace gritted his teeth and dodged away, due to his lack of combat experience, his arm was grazed by the tip of the black shadow's knife, his sweatshirt was torn open and blood oozed out.
He sucked in a cold breath from the pain, and with a hot head, he slammed into the black shadow, and the two of them fell into the snow together.
The black shadow clung to him, raising the knife in his hand into the air, but before he could drop it, Lucien rushed forward, kicking the black shadow off his feet and slamming it into the barbed wire fence.
Jace struggles to get up, gasping for breath, he covers the wound on his arm with his hand, but blood continues to pour out of his fingers.
Lucien walked over to him and looked at him coldly, "You don't know how to fight?"
Jace didn't want to ignore him, "I can handle it."
Lucien sneered and turned to look at the entrance of the alleyway, only to see the roar of motorcycles fading away as the dark figures retreated in dismal defeat.
"Who the hell are they?" Jace panted, his eyes locked on Lucien, his vision blurring in the wind and snow, while the sharp pain in his arm made him shudder uncontrollably.
"The Shadow Clan." Lucien's voice remained steady, "They are the ones who hunt the bloodlines of gods and demons."
His gaze swept over Jace, "You've been exposed, and they won't stop hunting."
Jace's mind almost exploded, Gods and Demons? The Shadow Clan? It sounded like a madman's tale, but the light of the blade and Lucien's stance made it impossible for him to disbelieve.
He clenched his teeth and covered his wound, "And you? What are you?"
Lucien was silent for a moment, a flicker of tenderness in his eyes, "I am your guardian."
He turned and walked towards the end of the basketball court, his handsome figure looking even more upright in the moonlight, "Let's go, they'll be back."
Jace followed his mind in turmoil.
Guardians? Water god? It all sounded like nonsense, but he didn't know who to believe, and the murderous intent of the dark shadows behind him told him he had no choice.