Moonlit Checkmate

The modified cruise liner sat at the pier like a sleek beast held on a leash. Its steel hull drank in moonlight, gleaming silver along the waterline. A few yards away, Dorian stood barefoot on the cool sand. His eyes never left the night sky.

A crescent moon hung low, stars sprinkled across the velvet dome. For a man who rarely paused, he almost admired the beauty.

He lifted his wrist and checke