NYA

n in golden light, but it did noth

hands in his pockets, like we were just two frien

ielding fortress. The estate stretched endles

ive me a tour of the pla

ard. "How big i

g enough that you'll n

y his little games. "That's not true. I a

"No, printsessa

wned. "

pened. "What you sa

hrough me. "Wha

horizon. "The further you run, the more the land stretches. An optical tr

. My hope had been n

rply. "So there

said with a shrug. "

sts. "And what hap

tly. "My uncle is a good man, p

w laugh. "His actio

eadable flickered in his gaze. "Compared t

tor was the saint, what was the

ul, yet trapped in the same prison as me. My thoughts drifted to Celine, t

s quieter this time. "Have

ed. The teasing li

iktor didn't want me involv

u work fo

usinesses. The

wned. "

d the horizon. "Because Viktor

ught me o

or was barely more than an adult, but he took me in, raised me like his own. Made su

talking about Viktor as a boss. H

d-the man who stepped up to raise a child wh

His voice grew lighter. "Viktor is ruthless

what was his reaso

ement. "Now that... is a que

ed at me. "Aren'

d a brow.

g him closely. "Won't they be lookin

you think you are?" he asked, shaking his head. "Thi

eart s

club. It was a front. A place for business. Deals were made there, people w

pped wa

I been working under their

ely. "Enough of that," he said, cutting me off. "You're making me s

more. I was already here. Trapped. And if what h

ow. Days had passed, and I had vanished without a trace.

ts. I wasn't going

"I need a phone. Or at least s

Mom, I got kidnapped by the mafia, but d

robably terrified. I can't

ent, then sighed. "I'll t

e me. It wasn't a promis

, the scent of hay and horses

chestnut-colored horse. "This one's Mars. An

hen Zima nudged me gently, s

her?" Niko

autiful," I

ormal, talking to him about nothing

I felt... different. Not free, not sa

hotels. Alone, I peeled off my dress, sighing as the cool air h

e door sw

froz

in the doorway,

ed the silk robe around myself. "

ide, shutting the door be

spiked. "Ex

ike steel. "I sai

k my hea

forward, gripping the robe and yan

avy gaze. My breathing hitched, but I

oamed over me, sl

jaw, lifting my

murmured. "I can do whate

ated

ck of my eyes, but I ref

ered before he stepp

he ordered, his vo

them. Slowly, I lifted my gaze to me

g smile. "I heard you and Nikolai have

hard, unsure o

h something sharper. "I bought you, Anya. I ow

, like a claim I

cket and pulled out a phone. With a flick of h

u needed a phone,"

t, stunned. "Ju

head, as if amused

eyes. "Aren't you afraid I'll u

led his hair, his sharp gaze never leaving me. "This

free to call whoever you want," he said, his voice smooth, alm

behind nothing but his words, the phone, and th

s, for making me feel anything at all. I hat

with shaking fingers. Without thinking, I powered

ave you been, Anya

e fast, panic wove

he truth. Not even clos

. Just... a bit

fingers hesitating over the screen. I sw

th their phones, I could only hope

relief crashing over me like

ath caught i

the other end

A chuckle slithered through the

d. "What a perfect little conne

opped. "Who...

w and taunting. "Ce

ood ran

put her on. Just

muffled sounds-then a w

Any

eli

e. "Don't you dare hurt her!" I

l and amused. "Oh, I won't...

to stay steady. "W

d to ice. "I nee

avy pa

fortress-his plans, his movements. Every single detail." His voice

e you insane?" I spat,

nd crackled through

in-laced scream tore

on't hurt her! I'll... I'll do it,"

t tangible through th

he call