nce themselves in Ni

ons. They arrived like storms-fast, violent, and designed

sign cam

lence so complet

s changing shifts. Even the distant hum of the city outside

lowly, insti

d before she c

already dressed, his exp

" he sai

iked. "What'

movin

he

they won'

egs off the bed

ne," he

her more than any ex

weapons being distributed with sharp efficiency. Elara was escorted th

as they walked. "This i

es

e I ove

"Because they k

h caught.

n't de

mored vehicle waited, engine already running. Nikol

ra watched the mansion disappea

unning?"

calmly. "We're na

wasn't what

t a quiet, unassuming building tucked betwe

lt...

ared he

ai locked the

this place," he sa

ou can't imprison me every

replied. "

at him. "Yo

lickered.

osing

retched be

he said

word land

and still treat me like a l

use you are one," he

yo

me, you're leverage the

d. "And what does

he said. "By

ne sent a shiver down her sp

respond, Nikola

t, expressio

de their mo

ened. "What

bli

spread wit

e of Nikolai's men handed h

she didn't recognize. His face was blood

quietly, "this man w

omach

"If you're watching this," he sa

cked beh

ce off-camera said. "Proof

d cut t

led. "They're using

me," Nikolai corrected. "And t

him. "What are

gaze steadi

ow

isiv

made her chest tighten

es

asked. "The man

i was

stood imm

He doesn't deserve

tervene publicly to save him, they

t him die," s

ath mean somethin

. "You're choosing p

urvival," he re

if struck. "I never

to matter," he shot b

oed painfully

n't afraid," she s

ed. "And fear ma

h burning eyes. "Then do

trust," he said.

on happened

see it-but

led in her chest when Nikolai returned hours later, blo

one," h

t ask for

d, "You crossed

did

d I," she

wned.

elieve you coul

tened, just slight

e said. "Not about men who convinc

way. "You'r

cost?"

dn't

indow, staring out

message had been sent

burn the world to p

knew exactly what

ass, her reflection staring

just a capt

declarat