reetlights and neon signs. But for Tenaya, sleep was a distant memory. Her mind

of the financial district-a place far removed from the luxury she

rtially hidden beneath the brim of a hat. When Ten

d softly, "thank

sked, sliding into t

e her circle. I saw things no one else dared speak

recordings, and documents-proof of illegal transactions, threats against rivals, an

t," Tenaya whispered

think. She has people everywhere-even inside the governme

enched. "I'm fa

allies once more. Darian and Liora absorb

we can get this to the right channe

rian cautioned. "Margot's peopl

resolve. "Then we prepar

ed the storm gathering

nded by her most loyal confidant

ith secrets," Margot said. "But she

is family for generations. Tenaya is

"No. She's a threat. And t

dossier Elias had provided, a mes

They are closer

an down h

es moved silently, th

aya realized that the greatest betraya

d calculated moves. Tenaya felt the pressure mounting-not just from outside f

ng gnawed at her-the idea that someone close was

sparkling gowns and tailored suits, unaware of

es scanned the crowd like a hawk. Each familiar face was

g fragile and conflicted. "

old smile. "Not tonight, Rael

with an urgent message from Darian: "We fo

ion hit her

raying us," she mutt

d slipped into a quiet

everyone she trusted-Da

them be worki

balcony overlooking the gala, a s

ed to Elaine. "And soon, everythin

n Tenaya falls, Rael wi

vate room, Tena

wn nu

ered cau

pered, cold

call friend dese

ne wen

and determination, T

for her empire-it was

, the deepest betrayals com