LOGIN“Do you remember what he looked like?”“It’s all a blur. Sorry.”I nodded slowly, looking around again. I spotted Max on the other side of the yard, returning to his work with a group of other males.“What’s the labor for?” I asked. “Are we building something?”“We think it’s for an army. The stone
Natalia’s POVBy the end of the first hour, my shoulders were burning and my palms had gone from sore to numb. The rock I’d been assigned to break with a heavy pickaxe was dense and black, and I was expected to break it into small pieces, then place them on a large wagon. One of those awful gray thi
A pair of figures crossed our path as we walked across the roadway. We fell into step behind them naturally, matching their pace. Neither of them looked back.The water trough was near the center of the settlement. I spotted a short line of people standing in front of it. It wasn’t running water, bu
Natalia’s POVI jerked awake with a gasp.The red sky was the same as it always was. Max was curled on his side a few feet away, still asleep, his chest rising and falling slowly. Nothing had moved. Nothing had changed.I pressed my hand flat against the ground and steadied my breathing.The vision
Natalia’s POVThe report came back the following morning. I’d hardly slept that night, which was strange for me; usually, sleep came quickly and efficiently, serving purely as a means to regain my energy for another day of hard work.But last night, I kept tossing and turning. That pull in my chest
“It’s no use!” I heard her voice call after me. “He’s already gone, you stupid bitch! He’s not who you think he is anymore! You’ll all die here!”Her words struck me somewhere deep and painful, but I kept running. We didn’t stop until the hovel was well out of sight. Only then, once we were certain
Natalia & LilithNatalia“As much as I appreciate the offer,” I said with a tight laugh, “I just got home from a trip. I haven’t even had a chance to unpack my bags.” I held up my duffle bag to prove it.But Andrei didn’t budge. “So? It can wait.” He folded those perfect fucking arms across that per
NataliaThe next morning, I woke to find a small folded note slipped under my door. The handwriting was familiar.“Message received. Meet me at Crescent Moon Tavern, 11 PM tonight. Come alone. -M”Mila had responded faster than I’d expected. I tucked the note into my pocket, wondering what she knew
NataliaMy heart stopped when I saw Andrei standing there. How long had he been watching? What had he heard?Immediately, my mind went to the twins. Had he heard me talking to them?I shoved my phone into my pocket and straightened my spine, walking toward him with as much composure as I could muste
Over the next several days, preparations for the festival consumed my time. I met with local food vendors, coordinated with the wineries, and helped mark out the event grounds. The work was a welcome distraction from the emptiness of the house without the twins.I didn’t see Andrei much during this







