Chapter 58

VIKTOR

It was late at night when I finally managed to put Maya to sleep. She had fallen for my sweet words and gentle touch, completely unaware of the betrayal that awaited her. As she lay there, peacefully dreaming, I took a deep breath and dialed my sister Adrina's number.

"Viktor, what is it?" Adrina's voice crackled through the phone. "It's nearly midnight."

"I need you, Adrina," I murmured, careful not to wake Maya. "I need your powers."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, then Adrina's voice came through, low and dangerous.

"Why?"

"I need her memories twisted, her thoughts clouded. I need you to turn her into a puppet, Adrina, someone who only cares about me."

There was a long silence before Adrina finally spoke again. "Meet me at the edge of the forest. I'll come to you."

I hung up the phone and made my way to the edge of the forest, a place of ancient power where portals could be opened. As I waited, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, and I could feel