an's

rehouse, arms crossed, chin lifted in defian

know b

attempt to convince herself that she's still in co

oesn't rea

d-up windows, casting long, shifting shadows across the floor. It's quiet: so quiet I can hear h

o

t as I step out of the shadows. I take my time, letting

here to play games, Adrian." Her voice is sharper than it needs to

It's easier for her that way. If she stays

. "You said we needed to talk," she adds, her arms tightening

s resists

this da

pu

ushes

ventually..

t the base of her throat. She's holding herself rigid, refusing to step back, refus

think you know this is about more

hen she's like this: when she's fighting, when she's standing her ground, when sh

Fierc

less, untouchable, the kind that makes men forget themselves. But unlike

here to press un

she

r, deliberate. "So I'll give them to you. You need to un

his name, just

dictable

or frustration flashing in her eyes. It

ealize how de

about power. About Leo's

as no

usion flicker across her face. "This isn't just about control and territory. It

ap, her pride struggling against the weight of my words. "What the hell are you talking about?" she deman

do you? Of course, you don't. Your family kept you in the dark.

f she's trying to process what I just said, like s

at picking up pace, the way her eyes seem to search me

see the way her breath q

her. She never runs from the tr

're all tied to the same curse. The same bloodline. The rivalry? The killings? It's more than business, more than

ck. Just a small on

e to know sh

tand." Her voice is

erate. "It's not just m

ily owes mine. Mine owes Leo's. And we all owe something to the dead." My fingers trail lightly down her

alization creeping in.

ce of this fucked-up puzzle. You think this is about who owns

see it in her eyes,s

with something deadly. "He kept you out of it. But all he did was delay th

paling. "That's not po

men circling you like wolves. Me. Leo. We're not here

er head. "Yo

"You know

rward, and this time,

e back to us. The danger. The violence. It's not just a coincidence. It's a curse, one that's

ogether. "What does that mean?" Her voice is

ou belong to me, Lyra. You always did. And no matter how hard

She's unraveling, b

t

yes burning with fury. "I

choice. The debt will be paid, one way or another. The

ers curling into fists, her whole body shak

"It makes this s

I turn toward the

ll. Still trying to find a

ou can try to run, Lyra. Try to hide behind

t's how this story wa

standing there: shaken, furious