LOGINNatalia’s POVIt all happened so fast—a flash of movement at the edge of the platform, a small hooded figure vaulting up the steps, and then the knife coming down in a quick, hard arc that made the blade catch the red light overhead.Andrei threw himself sideways just before the knife collided with
I straightened up. My heart was pounding. I looked around the room and for a single, disorienting moment, I had no idea where I was. The black stone walls, the red sky beyond the window, the dead air of this place—none of it felt right. None of it felt like mine. I felt like a man who had woken up m
Andrei’s POVThe collar of my shirt was pissing me off.I had fastened it twice already and it still insisted on sitting crooked, pulling too tight on the left side. I undid it a third time and redid it, slower, watching my hands in the mirror rather than my own face. My reflection had been botherin
Natalia’s POVHe didn’t hesitate.The moment I swung the rod toward him, his hand shot out and closed around my wrist like a vise. My arm wrenched sideways, and I felt the bones grind together under his grip, and the rod fell. It clattered somewhere on the stone floor, rolling away into the darkness
Andrei’s POVThe room was warm. The bed was soft and plush, the pillows made of feathers and velvet. Everything smelled familiar, the kind of scent that you recognize from a past life but can never put a finger on its source.Home.The woman was laying next to me, just as she always did. Amber hair
But I would do it, because the alternative was my children going through whatever came next, and that was not something I was willing to consider.I wasn’t certain yet. That was the only reason I was still trying so hard now. Because there was still a small part of me that thought that there must be
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
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
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







