gothic spires and forgotten catacombs, seemed to shudder under the weight of what was comin

uld fe

lv

tc

hing

as crumbling. Cassandra's death had created a vacuum, and the mo

like a living furnace. "We intercepted a communique," he said. "The Crimson

et me guess. Female. Wears

ed. "You

vision. Or maybe

nd on her shoulder. "You think she'

le. "She's not building i

d eight sleeper cells. Two in Berlin, one in Moscow, and at least th

spine s

mentor. Excommunicated. Thought dead. Real name: Erzsebet

She was suppose

I," Aria

fell into

ts you, Aria. Not dead. Not imp

-

underground tunnels below the city. The catacombs were damp, ancient, and humming w

ind her, sword st

e doing her

y that shimmered faintly with

be more s

Something older than any of us. A failed experiment. I need

epped t

glowing faintly with blue warding light. In the center sat a man-if he could still be call

My beautiful niece.

d went to

aid. "He can't move

kled. "Still so clever.

oser. "Tell me

ouls like candy. Cassandra feared her. Loved her too. But she was always the

ilding a n

mpire. A cult. And you're the crown jewel, darling. A per

chill slide

y m

ood war, one way or another. With her, you

urned

ing," she said. "Wha

ile va

e whispered. "And

-

and Aria emerged into the storm.

e you th

er bike, "that it's time we stopped

"That's mo

night, a shadow detached f

her watched, re

r," she whispered. "

-

d files were still unlocking on her tablet, each revealing horr

she s

video

: A. Blackt

. Aria, strapped to a table, eyes wide with terro

ready," Cas

e," Erzsebet replied.

en cut t

taggere

ing struck. The

, someone else ent

-

o the bone, blood on her boots. The

al

le

ed. Drew

ed but breathing, a sigil carved

IS

the cameras.

ed at the

me to com

arm. "Then let'

voice was

give h

the night ope

-

begun her hunt. The war