of Alessandro's villa. The walls were cold stone, the only light a single ov

death. Elena stood beside Alessandro, her face blank, her

he table. "Let's start with something si

aded at his brow. "You think th

idn't blink.

it across the table. Matteo's eyes flickered. The image showed

sandro said. "And you're

Matteo said, but his voic

boots clicking against the floor. She la

thing to do with your war," she said softly. "We can take our time here. But yo

ng in the ai

s smirk

assed. Th

eam or a collapse, but a weary sigh and

ond immediately. "You'

codes. A map of the surviving factions that once answered

rmured. "The one who vani

id. "She's consolidating. And

w tightened. "S

p, staring into the distant hills. The wind pulled

," she said. "But I do

pected

cted it

It changes. The war doesn't stop. But we c

him. "What d

are for

's stronger

ed. "Then we become stro

ded. Her resolve hadn't

ot run. She