ログインSylvia’s POVI simply stared at Cassian, my mind struggling to process what I was seeing. His expression was calm, almost amused, as though this entire ambush were nothing more than a game he had arranged for his entertainment.Julian stood beside me, his shoulders tense. I could feel the anger radiating from him, but he remained still.I lifted my chin and met Cassian’s gaze. “You seem awfully confident for someone who needs an army to face us.”A quiet laugh escaped him, but there was no trace of amusement in it.“Still pretending you're brave, Sylvia?” He glanced around the warehouse before returning his attention to me. “Look at you. You walked straight into my trap, and you still think you have the upper hand.”“I don't need the upper hand to know you're a coward.”“That's what I always found amusing about you though. You take over one supply depot, make a few demands, and suddenly you believe you can outsmart everyone.” His voice was frighteningly calm as he took a slow step for
Sylvia’s POV“Wait,” I whispered.My raised hand kept the men behind me still. Ahead, two guards crossed the yard and beyond them stood the weapons warehouse. We had finally made it inside the compound by crawling through the eastern passage tunnel, which had brought us behind the storage wing.For several seconds, I remained still, watching carefully for any sign of movement. Then, I lowered my hand and pointed toward the watchtower.The men understood immediately. Marcus and another fighter slipped away to create the distraction while the rest of us waited behind a stack of wooden crates.Julian stood beside me, and I could feel his eyes on me even though I wasn’t looking at him. Ever since the previous night, I had found myself avoiding his gaze and even the sound of his voice when he came too close. Remembering what had happened between us made it difficult to act as though nothing had changed.“You could at least look at me, Sylvia.” His voice pulled me back.“We're on a mission
Sylvia’s POVThe question hung between us, sharp and heavy. My pulse thudded hard against my throat as Julian's body pinned me against the shelves. “He didn’t touch me,” I said, forcing the words out. “Not the way you’re thinking.”Julian’s eyes stayed locked on mine. He leaned in again, his nose brushing the side of my neck, just below my ear. “That bastard’s scent is on your skin.” His voice was rough. “It shouldn’t be there.”Before I could answer, his hands moved. One remained firm at my waist while the other caught the front of my shirt, tearing the fabric with a sharp, sudden rip. Cool air touched my collarbone, then the upper curve of my chest. My breath caught.“What are you doing, Julian?”He didn’t answer. Instead, he pushed the ruined material aside and lowered his head. His teeth found the soft curve of my neck, then sank in—not deep enough to break the skin, but hard enough to mark. For a long moment, he held there, breathing against the fresh mark, as if sealing some
Sylvia’s POV“Move the eastern patrol here,” I said, placing my finger on the map. “If we draw their guards toward the main entrance, this path will be clear long enough for our team to get inside.”A dozen red marks covered the map of Cassian’s weapons depot. I had spent most of the evening studying its layout, comparing the guard rotations with the information gathered from the regional supply workers. The depot wasn’t just a storehouse; it supplied weapons to the fighters protecting Cassian’s territories.Taking it would leave him powerless.And it would make him understand I wouldn't stop.“Those eastern walls are watched,” one of Julian’s men said. His name was Marcus, and he handled their intelligence. “Not as heavily as the front, but there are still guards.”“I know.” My voice carried across the room as I leaned closer, moving my finger to a narrow strip behind the building. “That is why we won’t approach from the wall. There’s an old drainage route here. It leads close to the
Sylvia’s POVThe overseer glared up at me, his cheek pressed against the ground as he struggled beneath Julian's boot. His face twisted, and a sharp breath escaped him. But the movement only made Julian press down harder. “Get your foot off me!” he shouted.Julian looked down at him. “Answer the damn question.”“I’d rather die than give her control.”At those words, a faint growl rolled from Julian's chest. I glanced at him. His golden eyes had darkened, and his claws were slowly extending from his fingertips. He crouched slightly, tightening his grip on the man's arms. “Three seconds,” Julian raised one hand, his claws now fully extended. Their sharp tips hovered dangerously close to the man's throat. “That’s all you’ve got to answer before I rip your head open.”“One.”The overseer swallowed, but remained silent.“Two.”Julian’s claws moved closer.“Three—““Fine! Fine!” the overseer blurted. “I surrender! I'll give her control. Just get him off me!”Julian stopped counting, but
Sylvia’s POVFor several seconds, I stared at Julian, searching for the slightest crack that he was joking about what he had just said.Nothing.I pushed the covers aside, forgetting my ankle for a moment. “Are you out of your mind?” I shouted. “You cannot simply issue an order and expect me to obey.”Julian didn’t answer immediately. Instead, his gaze moved over me, slow and deliberate. “You're very brave when you're angry,” he whispered, a faint smile curving across his lips as he stepped closer.I should have moved back. I didn’t. I refused to give him the satisfaction of thinking he could make me retreat with a look.“And you’re irritating when you’re breathing.”“Really?” He stopped directly in front of me, close enough that I had to tilt my head to meet his eyes.Before I could react, his gaze dropped to my lips. His eyes lingered there for a moment, and when they returned to mine, there was a spark of amusement in them. He knew exactly what he was doing.“Something to say, Syl







